Fractures of the radial head and lesions of the lower radius and ulna in the adult: the importance of the prosthesis in resection.

Multi-fragmentary fracture of the head of radius is a common lesion of the elbow; and resection of the head is justified either in isolation or to be completed with prosthetic implant replacement. From a study of 25 hospital records of patients treated at the Orthopedic and Traumatology Center of CRAM of Strasbourg with an average post-operative follow-up of 8 years, it appears that the habitual complications secondary to simple resection of the radial head, in particular cubitus-valgus, ascension of radial shaft and dysfunction of the inferior radio-ulnar articulation, are not observed after prosthetic replacement. Furthermore, whenever an injury of the latter articulation exists concomitant with radial head trauma, no further secondary aggravation ensues following replacement. Arthroplasty seems to be, hence, at the present moment the operation of choice for serious fractures of the radial head in cases where osteosynthesis is not possible and which used to be indications for simple resection.