Arthroscopic removal of the failed silicone radial head prosthesis

Although silicone radial head arthroplasty has been successful in many patients, it has been associated with complications such as fractures of the prosthesis and silicone synovitis. Synovectomy and removal of the failed silicone radial head, with or without reimplantation of a metallic radial head, is indicated in such complications. In an effort to perform minimally invasive surgery, we performed arthroscopic removal of the silicone head combined with synovectomy in a series of such patients. The silicone prostheses were cut into two or three pieces and then removed. After a median follow up of 26 months, all patients reported excellent pain relief and there were no residual loose bodies. Removal of a failed silicone radial head can be successfully performed arthroscopically. This arthroscopic technique has the advantage of being minimally invasive and can be combined with other procedures including capsulectomy, if necessary.