Functional outcome of elbow after comminuted radial head fractures treated with radial head excision arthroplasty versus radial head prosthesis

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Aim of the study was to compare the functional outcome of the elbow after treating a Mason type III radial head fractures with radial head excision arthroplasty versus radial head arthroplasty with prosthesis and to study the complications which occur in both techniques.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective study comprised of 30 patients, with each group comprising of 15 patients each (n=15). Randomization was done; group A comprised of patients with Mason type 3 radial head fractures treated with excision arthroplasty and group B included patients with Mason type 3 radial head fractures treated with radial head arthroplasty with prosthesis. Post operatively the operated limb was immobilized in an above-elbow plaster of Paris slab for 3 weeks in all patients.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score at 6 weeks was noted to be 30.13 for patients belonging to group A and 13.06 for patients in group B. The mean DASH score at 3 months follow up was calculated as 22.53 for group A and 10.66 for group B. The mean DASH score at 6 monthly follow up was noted to be 13.86 for patients in group A and 5.2 for patients in group B.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> As evident from the radiological findings and the clinical follow up, it is safe to say that radial head arthroplasty with prosthesis produces more convincing results in terms of stability of the elbow joint, range of motion and pain as compared to radial head excision arthroplasty for the treatment of Mason type III radial head fractures. </p>