The floating radial head prosthesis for comminuted radial head fractures: a multicentric study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Biomaterials and Implants

Background:

• Comminuted radial head fractures, particularly Mason type III, present significant challenges in orthopedic trauma.
• Traditional treatments may lead to long-term functional deficits, necessitating alternative solutions.
• The Judet floating radial head prosthesis offers a potential option for managing these complex fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes and efficacy of the Judet floating radial head prosthesis.
• To assess the prosthesis's suitability for both acute and chronic radial head fracture management.
• To analyze functional results using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series involving 15 patients treated with the Judet floating radial head prosthesis.
• Prostheses were implanted for 13 acute Mason III fractures and 2 chronic post-fracture issues.
• Mean follow-up duration was 25.2 months, with outcomes assessed via the Mayo Elbow Performance Index.

Main Results:

• In acute injuries, 7 excellent, 3 good, 1 fair, and 2 poor results were recorded; one prosthesis was removed due to poor function.
• Chronic cases yielded 2 fair results.
• No dislocations or prosthesis fractures occurred; no signs of loosening were observed. Wrist pain was noted in 3 acute cases, while one chronic case experienced pain relief.

Conclusions:

• The Judet floating radial head prosthesis demonstrates favorable short-term results for treating Mason type III radial head fractures.
• It appears to be a viable option for both early and delayed surgical intervention.
• The prosthesis is suitable for isolated fractures or those associated with more complex elbow injuries.