Radiocapitellar joint contacts after bipolar radial head arthroplasty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine radiocapitellar contacts before and after radial head replacement, using the bipolar design of Judet. Joint contacts were measured by moulding the joint surfaces of 6 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens, in various positions of elbow flexion and forearm rotation. Expressed as function of the radial cup, contact areas averaged 44% in the normal elbow, decreasing with flexion and increasing with supination (P < .05). After prosthetic implantation, contact areas averaged 33% and remained quite similar, irrespective of elbow position. Subluxation of the prosthetic head over the lateral margin of the trochlea was seen systematically with supination. Because of intraprosthetic mobility, contact areas were not dependant on elbow position. This adaptability, however, also led to abnormal positioning of the prosthetic radial head with supination, subluxing over the trochlea lateral margin.