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Radial head prosthesis disassembly: case report and medico-legal implications
G Basile1, S Zaami, A Giorgetti
1IRCCS Orthopaedic Institute Galeazzi, Milan, Italy. simona.zaami@uniroma1.it.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|January 18, 2024
Summary
A rare complication of radial head prosthesis replacement occurred when a bipolar prosthesis disassembled three months post-surgery. Patients must be informed about the risks of further surgery after radial head fracture treatment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Traumatology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Restoring anatomical normalcy in comminuted radial head fractures is crucial to prevent complications like joint instability.
- Treatment options include osteosynthesis, radial head resection, or prosthetic replacement.
- Prosthetic implantation is the preferred treatment for severe comminution or dislocation, such as Mason type III fractures.
Observation:
- A 22-year-old volleyball player sustained a Mason type III comminuted radial head fracture and underwent prosthesis implantation.
- Postoperatively, the patient experienced sudden pain and functional limitation three months after surgery.
- Clinical and instrumental tests revealed complete dissociation of the bipolar radial head prosthesis.
Findings:
- This case highlights the rare complication of bipolar radial head prosthesis disassembly.
- The complication occurred approximately three months after the initial surgery.
Implications:
- Patients undergoing radial head replacement should be informed of the potential risk of prosthesis disassembly and the need for revision surgery.
- Informed consent is vital for patient cooperation and active participation in recovery management.
- This case underscores the importance of considering prosthesis integrity and potential complications in the long-term management of radial head fractures.
