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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Mid- to long-term results after bipolar radial head arthroplasty
Klaus Josef Burkhart1, Stefan G Mattyasovszky, Martin Runkel
1Department for Trauma Surgery, Center for Musculosceletal Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. burkhart@unfall.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Background:
Radial head arthroplasty is considered the treatment of choice for unreconstructable radial head fractures in the acute fracture situation. Although short-term results in the current literature are promising, replacement of the radial head remains controversial as long-term results are still missing. We report our 8.8-year results after treatment with a bipolar radial head prosthesis by Judet.
Materials And Methods:
In our department, 19 patients were treated with bipolar radial head arthroplasty between 1997 and 2001. Seventeen of these patients-14 men and 3 women-were examined retrospectively after 106 months (range, 78-139). Of these, 9 patients were treated primarily, 7 patients secondarily, and 1 because of a tumor.
Results:
On the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, 6 patients achieved excellent results, 10 good, and one fair. The mean DASH score was 9.8 (range, 0-34). No differences were seen between primary and secondary implantation. Flexion averaged 124° (range, 110-150°), the extension deficit was 21° (range, 0-40°), pronation 64° (range, 30-90°), and supination 64° (range, 30-90°). The following complications were seen: 2 dislocations and 8 cases of degenerative changes of the capitellum, 1 with severe erosion. Signs of ulnohumeral arthrosis were found in 12 patients. No evidence of loosening, radiolucencies, or proximal bone resorption was detected.
Conclusion:
Despite major primary complications and high incidence of radiographic signs of degenerative changes after 8.8 years, mainly good clinical results were achieved with Judet's bipolar prosthesis.