Lateral ulnohumeral joint space widening is not diagnostic of radial head arthroplasty overstuffing

PURPOSE: Metallic radial head replacement with a prosthesis that is too thick has been reported to be associated with stiffness, pain, and capitellar wear. Radiographic widening of the lateral ulnohumeral joint after radial head replacement has been used as a criterion to diagnose overstuffing. The purpose of this study was to show that widening of the lateral ulnohumeral joint is a normal anatomic variant and therefore cannot be used conclusively to diagnose joint overstuffing. METHODS: Fifty normal standardized anteroposterior radiographs from 50 patients were reviewed to evaluate variations in the joint space between the medial and lateral ulnohumeral joints. Measurements were taken on 3 occasions by one surgeon and on a single occasion by a second surgeon. At 4-times magnification, 2 lines were drawn perpendicular to the lateral ulnohumeral joint and 2 lines perpendicular to the medial ulnohumeral joint. Measurements were then compared to evaluate joint space width and parallelism. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated excellent intrarater and interrater reliability. The width of the lateral ulnohumeral joint space was greater than that of the medial ulnohumeral joint space. The medial joint space was parallel, and the lateral joint space was nonparallel. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral ulnohumeral joint space is often wider than the medial ulnohumeral joint space on anteroposteror radiographs of the normal elbow. Although the medial joint space is usually parallel, the lateral joint space may be nonparallel and wider laterally; therefore, lateral joint space widening is not a reliable indicator of radiocapitellar joint overstuffing. A nonparallel medial ulnohumeral joint space may suggest possible overstuffing of a radial head arthroplasty; however, comparing radiographs of the uninjured elbow is likely the best investigation to consider when overstuffing is suspected.     

Surgical management of Mason type III radial head fractures

The evidence for optimal management of Mason type III fracture of radial head is unclear hence a systematic review of the published literature was performed in April 2012. This review includes 5 prospective studies (including 2 randomized trials), 4 retrospective studies and 9 case series. No study can be interpreted as level 1 evidence. Level 2 and 3 evidence provides some insight into the success of each modality through subjective and objective measurements of function and complication rates. Radial head replacement, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and radial head resection all provide satisfactory outcomes for patients in most cases. One treatment modality cannot be recommended over any other due to the small number of clinical trials and cases included in each study. Further randomized control trials are needed to evaluate the full benefits and shortcomings of each of the different surgical treatment modalities.     

切开复位钢板内固定治疗桡骨头骨折

目的 探讨切开复位钢板内固定治疗桡骨头骨折的临床效果.方法 将41例MasonⅢ、Ⅳ型桡骨头骨折患者按照治疗方式的不同分为对照组(采用桡骨头置换术治疗,20例)和观察组(采用钢板内固定术治疗,21例).比较两组术中出血量、手术时间、住院时间、住院费用、疼痛VAS评分、Mayo评分及优良率、肘关节活动度.结果 患者均获得...     

Arthrogram assisted reduction of radial neck fracture in a child with unossified radial head – A case report and review of literature

Radial neck fractures account for 1% of all paediatric fractures and constitute 5–10% of elbow injuries. Radial neck fractures rarely occur at age 2 or less. It is difficult to assess and reduce radial neck fractures in children with unossified radial head. We report a case of 2 years old female child presented to emergency with history of fall from stairs on an outstretched hand. Radiograph showed a metaphyseal spike in the proximal radius which prompted us to think of a radial neck fracture. Since the radial head was not ossified, the amount of displacement and angulation was not exactly quantifiable on radiographs only. Hence an arthrogram was planned. Intra operative use of radio opaque dye injection into elbow joint delineates the radial head and capitellum. It helps in identifying the fracture morphology and will also assist in reduction. We reduce radial head by K wire leverage technique and the intramedullary elastic titanium nail was added to assist in reduction and to improve fixation stability. We recommend arthrogram to be a safe and reliable option for proper assessment and reduction of radial neck fracture in an unossified radial head.     

人工桡骨头假体置换的临床研究进展

桡骨头骨折是成人肘部最常见的骨折，占肘关节骨折的33％，在成人所有骨折中占1．7％～5．4％。桡骨头骨折还常伴有软组织损伤，如内侧副韧带或骨间膜破裂，当这些组织损伤后，桡骨头就成为维持肘关节轴向和外翻稳定的主要结构。对于不稳定的肘关节，切除桡骨头可发生许多远期并发症，包括桡骨向近端移位，外翻不稳定，肘关节僵硬，肘和腕关节退行性关节炎，肘、前臂和腕关节慢性疼痛。因此，对伴有内侧副韧带和（或）骨间膜损伤的桡骨小头粉碎性骨折通常采用人工桡骨头置换术”。     

人工桡骨头置换应用体会

2006年5月～2011年4月,我们应用单极人工桡骨头假体置换治疗9例桡骨头严重粉碎骨折患者,效果满意,报道如下。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组9例,男6例,女3例,年龄38～56岁。左侧4例,右侧5例。骨折按照Mason分类:Ⅲ型3例,Ⅳ