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Background: As more anatomic asymmetric radial head implants emerge, it is necessary to determine the optimal landmarks to ensure correct rotational orientation. The bicipital tuberosity and distal radius are possible bony landmarks that can be used for rotational alignment of asymmetric prostheses; however, they have not been validated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the bicipital tuberosity and distal radius as rotational landmarks for orientation of asymmetric radial head prostheses., Methods: Measurements were made from computer tomography scans of 50 elbows in order to determine the rotational relationships between the radial head, bicipital tuberosity, biceps tendon footprint, and distal radius., Results: The maximum radial head diameter was oriented 65° ± 28° from the bicipital tuberosity, 119° ± 38° from the biceps tendon footprint, 82° ± 29° from the radial styloid, and 76° ± 28° from the volar surface of the distal radius. All of these landmarks had a significantly greater variance than a proposed acceptable clinical tolerance of 10° (P < .001)., Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the measured landmarks show no consistent rotational relationship with the maximum diameter of the radial head. In order to maximize the utility of more anatomic asymmetric radial head implant systems, further studies are necessary to identify more reliable rotational landmarks to ensure optimal implant positioning., (Copyright © 2013 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The radius has a sagittal bow and a coronal bow. Fractures are often treated with volar anterior plating. However, the sagittal bow is often overlooked when plating. This study looks at radial morphology and the effect of plating the proximal radius with straight plates and then contoured plates bowed in the sagittal plane. We report our findings and their effect on forearm rotation., Materials and Methods: Morphology was investigated in 14 radii. Attention was paid to the proximal shaft of the radius and its sagittal bow; from this, 6-, 7-, and 8-hole plates were contoured to fit this bow. A simple transverse fracture was then made at the apex of this bow in 23 cadaver arms. Supination and pronation were compared when plating with a straight plate and a contoured plate. Ten cadavers underwent ulna plating at the same level. The effect on rotation of fractures plated in the distal-third shaft was also measured., Results: A significant reduction in rotation was found when a proximal radius fracture was plated with a straight plate compared with a contoured plate: 10.8°, 12.8°, and 21.7° for 6-, 7-, and 8-hole plates, respectively (P < .05). Forearm rotation was decreased further when a longer plate was used. Ulna or distal shaft plating did not reduce rotation., Conclusion: This study has shown a significant sagittal bow of the proximal shaft of the radius. Plating this with contoured plates in the sagittal plane improves rotation when compared with straight plates. Additional ulna plating is not a source of reduced forearm rotation., (Copyright © 2012 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objectives of this experimental study were to investigate the effect of radial head excision and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) division on elbow joint laxity and to determine the efficacy of radial head prosthetic replacement and LCL repair. Valgus, varus, internal rotation, and external rotation of the ulna were measured during passive flexion-extension and application of a 0.75-Nm torque in 6 intact cadaveric elbows and after (1) either excision of the radial head or division of the LCL, (2) removal of both constraints, (3) isolated radial head prosthetic replacement, (4) isolated LCL repair, and (5) radial head replacement combined with LCL repair. Isolated radial head excision increased varus (mean, 4.8 degrees) and external rotatory laxity (mean, 7.1 degrees), as did isolated LCL division (mean, 14.1 degrees for varus; mean, 14.7 degrees for external rotation). After removal of both constraints, varus and external rotatory laxities were increased by 19.0 degrees and 20.1 degrees, respectively, compared with the intact specimens. Isolated radial head replacement reduced mean varus laxity to 14.6 degrees and mean external rotatory laxity to 14.8 degrees. Isolated LCL repair normalized varus laxity but resulted in a 2.9 degrees increase in external rotatory laxity. The combined procedures restored laxity completely. The radial head is a constraint to varus and external rotation in the elbow joint, functioning by maintaining tension in the LCL. Still, removal of both constraints induces severe laxity, and in this case, prosthetic replacement may substitute for the constraining capacity of the native radial head. The combination of LCL repair and radial head replacement restores laxity completely, but an isolated LCL repair performs almost as well, probably by compensating for the ligamentous tension lost from radial head excision.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a 1-incision posterolateral surgical approach with concomitant irradiation (700 rad) for early resection of synostosis after a 2-incision biceps repair. Between 1992 and 2000, 8 patients with radioulnar synostosis after a 2-incision biceps repair were evaluated and treated, with a mean age of 38 years (range, 29-47 years). The mean time between tendon repair and resection of the synostosis was 7 months (range, 4-14 months). The mean follow-up was 27 months (range, 13-36 months). All patients had 0 degrees of forearm rotation preoperatively. Postoperatively, all patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy in two divided doses for a total of 700 cGy. At a mean follow-up of 27 months, the rotation arc of the forearm improved to 155 degrees (range, 140 degrees -170 degrees ). The strength of supination was 80% (range, 70%-90%) of the contralateral limb. Seven of the eight patients had no pain after activities of daily living or work. One had mild pain after prolonged activity. No radiographic or clinical evidence of synostosis recurrence was seen at final follow-up. We believe that resection of most radioulnar synostoses after 2-incision biceps repair can be achieved safely and efficaciously through one posterolateral incision.

The synovial folds of the radiohumeral joints in cadaveric elbows from 179 elderly subjects and 40 embryos were investigated macroscopically and histologically to determine any morphologic changes caused by aging or degeneration. The anterior and posterior folds found in the elderly population shared characteristics of folds seen in embryos, with some modifications, and were thought to originate from the primitive septum. Proportionally, the length, width, and thickness of these folds were consistent between adults and embryos. However, the embryonic folds showed a homogenous morphology. In contrast, in the adult the anterior fold was characterized by a shorter and narrower villous pattern, and the posterior fold tended to be wider. Lateral extension of the anterior or posterior folds was also observed. Moreover, the lateral fold, never seen in embryos, was present and characterized by a hard plicate pattern in the adult. These derived or specific morphologies in adults probably result from alterations in the movement of the radial head caused by aging.

Thirty-two fixed cadaveric elbow specimens from an elderly population were examined photographically after staining of the articular cartilage. The photographic images of the articular wear areas observed were calibrated and superimposed to determine the overall pattern of articular wear in the elbow. In this group, the radiohumeral compartment showed the most frequent degenerative changes. A pattern of involvement could have been identified, proceeding from the posteromedial region of the radial head and the apex of the capitellum. Eventually, the entire lateral compartment is involved, but in most specimens examined the ulnohumeral and radioulnar articulations are preserved.

Twenty-four patients with painful restricted motion of the elbow joint because of an arthritic process were treated with an arthroscopic modification of the open Outerbridge-Kashiwagi procedure. Average preoperative flexion was to 90 degrees (range 60 degrees to 140 degrees), and average extension loss was -40 degrees (range -5 degrees to -60 degrees). The average total arc of motion was 50 degrees. The procedure consisted of arthroscopic debridement, partial resection of the coronoid and olecranon processes, and fenestration of the olecranon fossa. The radial head was excised arthroscopically in 18 of the 24 patients. All patients were reexamined 24 to 60 months after operation (mean 32 months). All patients had a significant decrease in pain as described by a visual analog scale (preoperative 8.2; postoperative 2.2). Average flexion was to 139 degrees (range 95 degrees to 145 degrees), and average extension loss was -8 degrees (range 0 degree to 15 degrees). The average arc of motion was 131 degrees, an improvement of 81 degrees. Arthroscopic ulnohumeral arthroplasty provides satisfactory results in terms of pain control and improved motion. The complication rate is comparable to those reported in series of open ulnohumeral arthroplasties. This procedure seems to be a valuable adjunct in the management of the arthritic elbow, serving as an intermediate step between nonoperative management and elbow replacement surgery.

The treatment of comminuted fractures of the radial head with primary or secondary head resection is controversial. To assess the outcome of patients after radial head resection, a retrospective study with clinical and radiologic follow-up including isokinetic testing was performed. Between 1981 and 1992, 151 patients underwent radial head resection for comminuted fractures. Fifty-nine patients were operated on during the first 2 weeks after injury (primary treatment), 47 patients were operated on between 3 weeks and 6 months after injury (early secondary), and 45 patients were operated on more than 6 months after injury (late secondary). Follow-up examinations of 108 patients were conducted at an average of 6 years after operation. In 64% of the patients only the radial head was fractured. In 26% of the patients the fracture was combined with a dislocation of the elbow. Results on the clinical and isokinetic tests were better for patients treated with primary resection than for patients treated with secondary resection. Of the patients treated with primary resection, 45% were subject to no restrictions in daily life and 64% had no limits at work.