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Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology 8/2020

01-12-2020 | Radial Head Fracture | Original Article

Mid-term outcomes of surgical management of complex, isolated radial head fractures: a multicentre collaboration

Authors: Kishan Gokaraju, Peter Domos, Osama Aweid, Rachael Fisher, Andrew White, Lee Van Rensburg, Sertaz-Niel Kang

Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 8/2020

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Abstract

Objectives

The available literature discussing optimal surgical management of Mason II and III radial head (RH) fractures without concomitant bone or ligamentous injuries is limited. We aim to help determine the appropriate management of these functionally significant injuries.

Design

We present our retrospective cohort study of outcomes of surgically managed isolated, displaced RH fractures

Setting

Study from three trauma centres.

Patients/Participants

Adults who underwent surgical treatment for isolated displaced RH fractures.

Intervention

RH open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), replacement or excision

Main outcome measurements

Elbow range of motion (ROM), pain and function using Oxford Elbow Score (OES), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) and QuickDASH (QD).

Results

Of 46 patients included (mean age 47 years and mean follow-up 48 months), 12 type II fractures were treated with ORIF and 34 type III injuries had ORIF (16), replacement (12) or resection (6). ROM was comparable in all groups, with mean arcs of flexion–extension of 131° and pronation–supination of 147°. Mean visual analogue score for pain was 1.3 in those treated with ORIF compared to 1.9 with arthroplasty and 2.5 with excision. Mean functional scores were 41, 92, 14 and 14 for OES, MEPS, PREE and QD, respectively. Complication rates were 39% for ORIF, 33% for arthroplasty and 33% for resection. Overall re-operation rate was 13%.

Conclusions

Functional outcome is similar in all groups of surgically treated patients with isolated, displaced RH fractures. Complication rates are higher than that reported previously in the literature but with low re-operation rates.

Level of evidence

IV
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Metadata
Title
Mid-term outcomes of surgical management of complex, isolated radial head fractures: a multicentre collaboration
Authors
Kishan Gokaraju
Peter Domos
Osama Aweid
Rachael Fisher
Andrew White
Lee Van Rensburg
Sertaz-Niel Kang
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology / Issue 8/2020
Print ISSN: 1633-8065
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1068
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02709-z

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