Results of wrist hemiarthroplasty for comminuted distal radius fractures in independent elderly people: A retrospective study on eleven patients

Hemiarthroplasty for irreparable distal radius fractures in the elderly: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients maintaining functional independence can now be candidates for primary wrist hemiarthroplasty to manage acute irreparable distal radius fractures (DRFs). However, further investigation with long-term follow-up is required to validate these initial findings.

AIM

To review the literature on the outcomes of distal radius hemiarthroplasty with available implants to assess its viability as a treatment option.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. The search terms employed were "distal radius fracture" , "hemiarthroplasty" , "wrist arthroplasty" , and related terminology. The search was restricted to articles published in English from 1980 until June 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed cases or case series of DRF treated with hemiarthroplasty, providing clinical or radiographic outcomes, and published in peer-reviewed journals.

RESULTS

A total of 2508 articles from PubMed and 883 from Scopus were identified initially. Following screening and removal of duplicates, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. These articles, predominantly clinical retrospective studies, provided insights into hemiarthroplasty outcomes, including functional improvements and complications. Hemiarthroplasty was a treatment option for complex DRF, particularly those cases with severe comminution, intraarticular involvement, or severe osteoporosis. Functional outcomes demonstrated improvements in pain relief, wrist mobility, and grip strength, with variability across studies. Complications included implant loosening, infection, nerve injury, and stiffness, with varying incidence rates influenced by surgical techniques and implant choice. Long-term outcomes were inadequately documented, warranting further research.

CONCLUSION

Hemiarthroplasty is a promising treatment for irreparable DRF in the elderly. Long-term outcomes and complications require further study.

Lessons learned with the Cobra prosthesis in elderly patients with complex distal radius fractures-a retrospective follow-up study

INTRODUCTION

Recently, the Cobra prostheses were introduced in the treatment of distal radius fractures (DRF) of elderly patients. Fracture prostheses provide an alternative treatment option for complex fractures where conservative therapy seems not acceptable and osteosynthesis seems not possible. Data reporting the feasibility of the Cobra prosthesis are sparse. Therefore, this retrospective follow-up study investigated the clinical and radiological mid-term outcome of the Cobra implant in complex DRFs of elderly patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirteen patients (mean age 73.5 years, range 65-87 years) were retrospectively evaluated with at least a 1-year follow-up after surgery. Objective and subjective clinical parameters as well as the radiological outcome and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 31.2 months. Seven cases required a cemented prosthesis. The mean relative range-of-motion compared to the healthy side was 72.3% and 51.8% for extension and flexion, respectively, and 87.9% and 85.7% for pronation and supination, respectively. The mean grip strength was 78.3% compared to the non-operated side. Eight patients were very satisfied, five patients were partly satisfied with the result. The DASH, PRWE, MHQ and Lyon-Scores averaged 39.1, 36.2, 64.9 and 63.3 points, respectively. The mean VAS-Score for pain was 1.1 at rest and 3.2 during activities. Perioperative complications included one dissection of the extensor pollicis longus tendon, one heterotopic ossification, one radiocarpal dislocation and two cases of an ulnar impaction syndrome due to implant subsidence.

CONCLUSION

The prosthetic treatment of complex DRFs in elderly patients with the Cobra implant led to clinically and radiologically satisfactory mid-term results. The Cobra prosthesis still does not represent a gold standard but can be regarded as a feasible salvage option for complex DRFs when osteosyntheses may not be possible and non-operative treatment will lead to further functional restrictions and wrist pain during performing activities of daily life in high functional demand patients.

Isoelastic resurfacing prosthesis for distal radius fractures: Outcomes in 24 cases with at least 2 years' follow-up

BACKGROUND

Unicompartmental resurfacing prostheses have been reported to be useful for treating comminuted fractures involving the distal radial joint surface in elderly patients with osteoporosis. However, the data on this method remain scarce and further evaluations are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after unicompartmental resurfacing prosthesis implantation in patients with distal radius fractures and at least 2 years' follow-up.

HYPOTHESIS

Outcomes with Prosthelast® are as good in the mid-term as in the short term.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 24 patients with type C fractures in the AO classification. The Prosthelast® prosthesis was implanted in each. Mean age was 78 years (60 to 91). There were 22 females. Three of the fractures were open. The patients were evaluated clinically using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, ranges of motion at the wrist, and grip strength. In addition, functional scores were determined, and radiographs obtained.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 55.2 months (24-97). Mean tourniquet time was 61.9minutes (37-126). Mean motion ranges were 39° in flexion, 49° in extension, 74° in pronation, and 68° in supination. The mean VAS pain score was 2.1 (0-7). The mean Quick DASH was 39.8 (9.09-77), the mean PRWE was 42.7 (5-95), and mean grip strength was 38 (25-150). Painful motion limitation of the elbow was noted in a patient treated with total elbow prosthesis. Complex regional pain syndrome developed in 6 patients, and 5 patients required revision surgery. Asymptomatic perforation of the radial head occurred in 8 patients. No cases of peri-prosthetic osteolysis or osteoarthritis were noted. The prosthesis impinged on the lunate bone in 2 patients and on the scaphoid bone in one patient. Mean ulnar variance was +0.17mm (-1 to 7.5). Bone remodelling about the prosthesis was noted in all the patients, but 2.

DISCUSSION

Our data obtained after a mean follow-up of 55 months indicate that resurfacing prostheses have a role to play in the treatment of comminuted articular fractures in patients with osteoporosis. A long-term study is needed to further evaluate these results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; therapeutic.

3D printing in hand surgery

While 3D printing in hand surgery is still in its infancy, it offers new avenues in research, teaching, and personalized medicine. For these reasons, some surgeons may want to jump on the bandwagon of this trendy technology. But we cannot forget that its superiority over conventional techniques has not been demonstrated. Surgeons who want to work with 3D printed objects must master their use and the entire manufacturing process, otherwise they risk becoming dependent on engineers and/or medical device companies.