Do functional deficits result from radial head resection?

The treatment of comminuted fractures of the radial head with primary or secondary head resection is controversial. To assess the outcome of patients after radial head resection, a retrospective study with clinical and radiologic follow-up including isokinetic testing was performed. Between 1981 and 1992, 151 patients underwent radial head resection for comminuted fractures. Fifty-nine patients were operated on during the first 2 weeks after injury (primary treatment), 47 patients were operated on between 3 weeks and 6 months after injury (early secondary), and 45 patients were operated on more than 6 months after injury (late secondary). Follow-up examinations of 108 patients were conducted at an average of 6 years after operation. In 64% of the patients only the radial head was fractured. In 26% of the patients the fracture was combined with a dislocation of the elbow. Results on the clinical and isokinetic tests were better for patients treated with primary resection than for patients treated with secondary resection. Of the patients treated with primary resection, 45% were subject to no restrictions in daily life and 64% had no limits at work.