A hospital-based assessment of type III and IV radial head fractures treated with radial head prosthesis: A retrospective study.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional outcome of type III and IV radial head fractures treated by radial head prosthesis. Material & Methods: A retrospective study included 40 patients of type III and IV radial head and neck fractures according to Mason's classification. They were admitted and treated in the Department of Orthopaedics with radial head prosthesis over the duration of 2 years. Results: Out of 40 cases, 24 cases were <40 years and 16 cases were >40years. The mean age was 36.4 years. Maximum age was 56 years, minimum age was 32 years. Majority were females as compared to males. Mechanism of injury most of the cases i.e. 70% were due to history of fall and remaining were due to RTA. 30 cases (75%) were right side dominant and 10 cases (25%) were left side dominant. In our case study group, out of 40 cases, 32 cases (80%) were under Modified Mason's classification type Ill and 8 cases (20%) were under Modified Mason's classification type IV. Out of 40 cases, 30 cases (75%) were not associated with any ligamentous injury, 4 cases of LUCL and 6 cases of MCL injury was noted. The P value of flexion, extension, pronation and supination was found to be very significant. 27 cases (67.5%) had MEPI score (Mayo Elbow Performance Index) >90 which indicates excellent result, 8 cases (20%) had MEPI score 75-89 which is good result and 5 cases (12.5%) had MEPI score 60-74 which indicates fair result. Conclusion: Radial Head Prosthesis is a viable option in communited and irreparable radial head fractures. Proper preoperative planning, good Intraoperative technique and rigorous postoperative rehabilitation give predictable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]