Radiocapitellar prosthetic arthroplasty: short-term to midterm results of 19 elbows.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have discussed the short-term results of radiocapitellar (RC) prosthetic arthroplasty (PA). In this study, we assessed the short-term to midterm functional and radiographic results of elbows after RC PA. Our secondary aim was to assess the survival of the RC PA. METHODS: We included 19 elbows in 18 patients with a mean follow-up of 35 months (range, 12-88 months). Patients were examined for instability and range of motion and were assessed using Mayo Elbow Performance Index and Oxford Elbow Score at any subsequent visits. RC PA was the primary treatment in 16 elbows, and 3 were revision radial head arthroplasty with concomitant capitellar resurfacing. RESULTS: Range of motion, pain, and functional scores improved significantly from the preoperative to the final follow-up visit. Categoric grouping of the final Mayo Elbow Performance Index outcome scores showed 9 excellent, 5 good, 3 fair, 0 poor, and 2 missing data. However, stability of the elbow remained unchanged. There was no pain in 11 patients, mild pain in 5, and moderate pain in 3. Radiographic assessment showed no significant progress in ulnohumeral arthritis, although 3 elbows showed osteoarthritis progression to a higher grade. There were no major complications, including infection, revision, disassembly of the components, or conversion to total elbow arthroplasty. Survival of the RC PA was 100%. CONCLUSION: Elbow arthritis seems to become stationary after RC PA. Symptomatic RC osteoarthritis would probably benefit from RC PA regardless of the etiology.

Retrospective radiographic evaluation of treatment results of developmental dysplasia of the hip in walking-age children.

UNLABELLED: We evaluated treatment results of 22 children (32 hips) with idiopathic hip dislocation after walking age in two Dutch academic hospitals. The Tönnis classification was used preoperatively. Outcome was measured using the Severin and Kalamchi classification. The mean age at treatment was 24 months and the mean follow-up was 6.8 years. In 24 hips (73%), a perfect outcome was found (Kalamchi score≤1 and Severin score of 1). A fair or a poor outcome according to Severin (≥3) was found in five hips (15%). Treatment of a hip dislocation beyond 18 months of age usually results in adequate hip development with limited avascular necrosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.