Radial head, radiocapitellar and total elbow arthroplasties: A review of recent literature

The Effect of Prosthetic Radial Head Geometry on the Distribution and Magnitude of Radiocapitellar Joint Contact Pressures

“…An anatomical prosthesis requires proper technique to avoid malpositioning. 22 This study did not examine the effects of malpositioning of any of the prostheses. Therefore, we do not know how malpositioning might alter the relative observations among the different designs.…”

Comparative study of radial head resection and prosthetic replacement in surgical release of stiff elbows

“…In the presence of a torn MCL, obvious valgus instability, and associated lesions of the LCL and coronoid process on the affected limb, radial head replacement arthroplasty should be performed to provide stability to the elbow [29]. History of resection of the radial head and lesions of the interosseous membrane are other indications for the prosthetic replacement of the radial head [30]. In this study, three patients in the replacement group had undergone improper radial head resection in their previous surgeries and had laxity under valgus stress after the surgical release of the elbow.…”

Shoulder and Elbow Osteoarthritis

“…Although the results of total elbow arthroplasty in elbow OA are good (improvement in pain, range of motion, and functional outcome scores [ 73 ]), the indications for its use are limited to elderly patients with minimal physical demands. Furthermore, much of the evidence on elbow arthroplasty pertains to patients with infl ammatory arthritis -a vastly different population with lower expectations as compared to the patient with primary or posttraumatic elbow OA.…”

“…Given the technical demands of the procedure, it is not surprising that provider volume has an impact on outcome following total elbow arthroplasty, whereby surgeons who perform more than ten per year have lower revision rates [ 77 ]. An alternative to the total elbow arthroplasty is radiocapitellar replacement, and although early outcomes following radiocapitellar replacement have been encouraging [ 78 -80 ], long-term outcomes and survivability remain unknown [ 73 ].…”