P Simon1, F Unterhauser, P von Roth, G Schmidmaier, T Winkler. 1. Centrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie und Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland, paul.simon@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The therapeutic algorithm for the treatment of Mason type II radial head fractures is still controversially discussed. This study describes the technique of percutaneous fracture reduction without additional internal fixation of the radial head as an alternative to open reduction and presents the results of the method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data from 26 out of 30 patients with a Mason type II radial head fracture who had been consecutively treated with percutaneous fracture reduction were evaluated retrospectively. The analysis comprised the disabilities of shoulder and hand (DASH) score, the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and data from the radiological examinations. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 21 months (range 6-47 months). In 22 cases (85 %) an anatomical reduction could be achieved, 2 cases (8 %) showed a complete redislocation of the fragment and 2 cases (8 %) a partial redislocation. The average DASH score was 5.6 points (range 0-56) and the average MEPS was 93.8 (range 60-100). Only 4 patients (15 %) reported persisting functional impairment with a DASH score >10. CONCLUSIONS: The method of percutaneous reduction of radial head fractures without additional internal fixation in Mason type II fractures has been demonstrated to be a good alternative to open reduction.
BACKGROUND: The therapeutic algorithm for the treatment of Mason type II radial head fractures is still controversially discussed. This study describes the technique of percutaneous fracture reduction without additional internal fixation of the radial head as an alternative to open reduction and presents the results of the method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data from 26 out of 30 patients with a Mason type II radial head fracture who had been consecutively treated with percutaneous fracture reduction were evaluated retrospectively. The analysis comprised the disabilities of shoulder and hand (DASH) score, the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and data from the radiological examinations. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 21 months (range 6-47 months). In 22 cases (85 %) an anatomical reduction could be achieved, 2 cases (8 %) showed a complete redislocation of the fragment and 2 cases (8 %) a partial redislocation. The average DASH score was 5.6 points (range 0-56) and the average MEPS was 93.8 (range 60-100). Only 4 patients (15 %) reported persisting functional impairment with a DASH score >10. CONCLUSIONS: The method of percutaneous reduction of radial head fractures without additional internal fixation in Mason type II fractures has been demonstrated to be a good alternative to open reduction.