Abstract
Five patients with disabling symptoms related to proximal translation (> 1 cm) of the radius following radial head excision (Essex-Lopresti lesion) were treated with implantation of a frozen-allograft radial head prosthesis. Following restoration of neutral ulnar variance at the wrist, a size-matched frozen radial head allograft was implanted and secured to the proximal radius with internal fixation. In three patients, this was a two-stage procedure; radial length was restored gradually using an Ilizarov external fixation device and the allograft was placed later. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean follow-up time of 3 years (range, 1-7 years). All patients had relief of wrist and elbow pain and were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Forearm rotation improved by a mean of 37°and wrist motion improved by a mean of 45°. Forearm reconstruction with frozen radial head allograft implantation may be a beneficial method of treatment for this difficult problem.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 269-278 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Hand Surgery |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Surgery