Radial head replacement should be indicated in all cases of radial head fractures when open reduction and internal fixation is anticipated to be difficult or impossible. Although excellent therapeutic results have been obtained, this procedure, like any other surgical procedures, may be associated with severe complications, including contractures, ossification or aseptic synovitis. In these cases, removal of the prosthetic radial head has always been a safe and popular solution producing a satisfactory clinical outcome. However, we present the case of a patient in whom the prosthesis was left in place, but the polyethylene head was replaced with a metal-covered head. The decision to perform this procedure was taken intraoperatively.
Comparison between radial head replacement and open reduction and internal fixation in clinical treatment of unstable, multi-fragmented radial head fractures
