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Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Original Article

Pyrocarbon arthroplasty in acute unreconstructable radial head fractures: mid-term to long term results

Authors: F. Javier Ricón, Francisco Lajara, Alfonso Fuentes, María Luz Aguilar, Alberto Boix, Juan A. Lozano

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study is to describe the mid-term radiological findings appearing in patients with a pyrocarbon radial head prosthesis, and to correlate them to patient symptoms.

Materials and methods

We review 18 patients who underwent radial head implantation of the MoPyC prosthesis between 2004 and 2015, due to unreconstructible radial head fractures. The clinical outcomes were assessed with Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Range of motion, pain, and elbow radiological assessments were recorded. A non-parametric, statistical analysis was carried out to assess the radiological findings with the clinical outcomes.

Results

We have found that after a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (2–11 years), patients have recovered a median flexion arch of 113°, therefore 77% are classed as satisfactory outcomes and the average MEPS score is 89.5. The presence of periprosthetic changes on X-ray is highly frequent—we found radiolucent lines in 38% of cases, radial neck re-absorption in 83%, and arthrosic changes in 78%. However, the differences found when correlating these changes with the clinical results have not been statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Satisfactory outcomes can be expected midterm when using pyrocarbon prostheses in around 75% of the cases. We consider radial neck re-absorption to be a sign of good stem osteointegration, whereas progressive radiolucencies and loss of the ballooning of the stem legs are signs of bad prognosis in our series.

Level of Evidence

IV retrospective case series.

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Title: Pyrocarbon arthroplasty in acute unreconstructable radial head fractures: mid-term to long term results
Authors: F. Javier Ricón
Francisco Lajara
Alfonso Fuentes
María Luz Aguilar
Alberto Boix
Juan A. Lozano
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1590-9921
Electronic ISSN: 1590-9999
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s10195-018-0499-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Pyrocarbon arthroplasty in acute unreconstructable radial head fractures: mid-term to long term results

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

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