Abstract
Background: Radial head prostheses are available with multiple geometric properties. The effect of design features on radiocapitellar stability has not been investigated. Hypothesis: The shape (depth and radius of curvature) of the articulating dish of a radial head prosthesis affects radiocapitellar stability. Materials and methods: Radiocapitellar stability due to concavity-compression was evaluated in 8 fresh frozen elbows before and after radial head replacement with 2 different designs of radial head implants (RH 1 and RH 2). Both functioned as monopolar implants. Peak forces resisting subluxation and force-displacement characteristics were compared between the 2 and to the native radial head. Results: Radial head design significantly affected radiocapitellar stability. RH 1, which had a deeper dish than RH 2, required significantly higher peak forces to subluxate the radiocapitellar joint. The peak subluxation forces and the slopes of the force-displacement curves were not significantly different from the native radial head for RH 1, but they were for RH 2. Conclusion: The shape of the articular dish (depth, radius of curvature) of a monopolar radial head implant affects its contribution to radiocapitellar stability. An implant that mimics normal anatomy is more effective than a shallow radial head implant with a radius of curvature that is longer than normal.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 885-890 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2011 |
Keywords
- Basic Science
- Biomechanical Cadaver Study
- Biomechanics
- Elbow joint
- Instability
- Prosthesis
- Radial head
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine