Speaker examines complications after radial head arthroplasty
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SAN DIEGO — Stress shielding and radiocapitellar arthritis are common midterm complications in patients undergoing radial head arthroplasty for displaced radial head and neck fractures, according to a presenter.
Radial head arthroplasty (RHA) is commonly performed for radial head and neck fractures that cannot be reconstructed with open reduction and internal fixation, Matthew Cherches, MD, said in his presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Cherches and colleagues performed a retrospective review of data for 63 patients (62 elbows) who underwent RHA between 2006 and 2019 with at least 6 months of follow-up. According to the abstract, researchers used radiographs to evaluate associated injuries, fracture pattern, implant design, radiolucency, stress shielding, radiocapitellar arthritis and heterotopic ossification.
Among the 62 elbows, 34 had anatomic press-fit implants; nine had smooth stem implants; eight had bipolar implants; and 12 had nonanatomic press-fit implants. Six cases (9.5%) required radial head prosthesis removal for loosening and 13 cases (20.1%) required reoperation. After radiographic evaluation, Cherches and colleagues found stress shielding and radiocapitellar arthritis are common complications after RHA; however, male gender and the use of bipolar implants may be protective factors against the development radiocapitellar arthritis, they noted.
“In terms of the relationship between radiographic complications and clinical outcomes, this still remains unclear, and we hope to – in the next arm of this study – further evaluate that by bringing these patients back in to evaluate their range of motion,” Cherches concluded.
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Cherches M, et al. Paper 565. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; Aug. 31 - Sept. 3, 2021; San Diego.
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