Effect of incremental increase in radial neck height on coronoid and capitellar contact pressures

[Clinical results of total elbow arthroplasty after treatment failure for Monteggia-like injuries]

BACKGROUND

Monteggia-like fractures (MLF) are complex injuries with high complication rates and frequently unsatisfying clinical results. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) represents the only option to salvage the functional requirements in some patients with pronounced posttraumatic arthropathy. This case series provides clinical results of TEA following failed treatment of MLF.

METHODS

All patients who underwent TEA from 2017 to 2022 for failed treatment of MLF were retrospectively included in this study. Complications and revisions before and after TEA and functional results, measured by the Broberg/Morrey score, were evaluated.

RESULTS

In this study 9 patients with a mean age of 68 (±7; 54-79) years were included. The mean follow-up was 12 (±9; 2-27) months. The main reasons leading to posttraumatic arthropathy were chronic infections (44.4%), bony instability due to coronoid deficiency (33.3%) or a combined coronoid and radial head deficiency (22.2%) and non-union of the proximal ulna with radial head necrosis (11.1%). The mean number of surgical revisions between primary fixation and TEA was 2.7 (±1.8; 0-6). The revision rate following TEA was 44%. The mean Broberg/Morrey score at the time of the latest follow-up was 83 (±10; 71-97) points.

CONCLUSION

Chronic infection and coronoid deficiency are the main reasons for posttraumatic arthropathy after MLF leading to TEA. While the overall clinical results are satisfying, the indications should be reserved for selected cases due to high revision rates.

Radial Head Prosthetic Replacement in Adolescents: A Report of 5 Cases

BACKGROUND

The management of severe radiocapitellar joint pathologies in young patients is challenging. Radial head arthroplasty (RHA) is a treatment option in the adult population, but most surgeons avoid implementing it in younger patients, and there are no published results for patients younger than 16 years.

METHODS

Our retrospective cohort describes 5 patients (4 male 1 female) who underwent cementless modular RHA at an average age of 14 years (range: 13 to 15). The preoperative diagnoses were post-traumatic radiocapitellar incongruity and arthrosis because of previous Salter-Harris type 3 or 4 fractures of the radial head in 3 cases; and axial instability of the forearm following failed radial head excision in 2 cases. Because of the complexity of the elbow pathology in these cases, all underwent concomitant procedures including: contracture release (5 cases), corrective ulnar osteotomy (2 cases), distal ulnar shortening osteotomy, excision of radioulnar synostosis, microfracture of the capitellum, and partial excision of the medial triceps (1 case each). Collected data included patient-reported outcomes, visual analog scale pain score at rest and during physical activity and radiographic assessment of arthritis and prosthesis loosening.

RESULTS

Average clinical follow-up was 8 years (range: 3 to 13). All 5 patients were pain-free at rest, and 3 reported moderate elbow pain (visual analog scale: 5 to 6) with physical activity. At an average radiographic follow-up of 3 years (range: 0.5 to 5), 3 patients showed mild progression of elbow arthrosis, but there were no signs of progressive capitellar erosion or implant loosening. Only 1 complication was noted-development of heterotopic ossification in 1 patient, which required open heterotopic ossification excision and contracture release 2 years following the RHA. None of the patients required prosthesis revision or removal.

CONCLUSION

RHA was successful in improving pain and axial forearm stability in this very small series of adolescent patients. Concerns regarding long-term longevity and complications still exist. Considering the lack of other reliable treatment options, RHA may be indicated in this challenging patient population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV: therapeutic study-case series.