Plate and screws

In three-part fractures (including the shaft) where the fragment configuration allows reconstruction, the radial head is reconstructed with lag screws and attached to the shaft with a T-plate. Proximal radius fractures with more than three fragments can usually not be repaired satisfactorily and might necessitate radial head replacement based on injury pattern.

The lag screws may be inserted through the proximal holes of the plate (preferably) or separate.

In rare cases, a side table assembly can be performed of the entire head and replaced to the shaft with a T-plate.

The radial head is completely covered with articular cartilage. The implant is applied to the radial head in a location that causes the least compromise of full pronation and supination.

To determine the location of the “safe zone”, reference marks are made along the radial head and neck, to mark the midpoint of the visible bone surface. Three such marks are made with the forearm in neutral rotation, full pronation, and full supination as shown in the illustration.

The posterior limit of the safe zone lies halfway between the reference marks made with the forearm in neutral rotation and full pronation. The anterior limit lies nearly two thirds of the distance between the neutral mark and the mark made in full supination.

Note: The non-articulating portion of the safe zone for the application of implants to the radial head (or safe zone for prominent fixation) consistently encompasses a 90 degrees angle localized by palpation of the radial styloid and Lister’s tubercle.

This procedure is normally performed with the patient in a supine position for lateral access.

For this procedure a lateral approach is normally used.

Release the annular ligament as necessary to see the radial head and neck.

Expose the fracture with minimal soft-tissue dissection off the bone.

Remove hematoma and irrigate.

Directly reduce the joint fragments with the help of small pointed reduction forceps and provisionally fix them with two K-wires.

If joint depression is encountered, the depressed joint fragment is elevated, and the underlying defect may be bone grafted with bone from the lateral humeral condyle.

As the radial head is often a small fragment, 1.5 or 2.0 T-plate, or a locking proximal radius plate is used to allow purchase of two or three screws in the proximal fragment.

Carefully contour the plate according to the surface anatomy of the proximal radius.

Even with anatomic plates, a perfect fit is often difficult to obtain. Given the requirements for a low-profile fixation these anatomic plates may need to be recontoured.

Apply the properly contoured plate to the radial head and insert two horizontal lag screws (1.5 or 2.0 mm) into the proximal fragment.

These screws are inserted through the plate to achieve absolute stability of the anatomically reduced joint fragment.

Note: The plate position on the radial head is dictated by the fracture configuration to allow optimal stability and function. If the latter is not possible with the lag screws through the plate, the lag screws may be inserted outside the plate and the plate is fixed in its optimal position.

Finally attach the plate to the radial shaft with two or three screws, thereby fixing the joint fragment to the diaphysis.

Repair the annular ligament using non-absorbable sutures.

Check supination and pronation. Fixation should be stable. Crepitus or restricted motion should be absent. Check fractures and fixation with image intensifier or x-ray.

Postoperatively, the elbow may be placed for a few days in a posterior splint for pain relief and to allow early soft tissue healing, but this is not essential. To help avoid a flexion contracture, some surgeons prefer to splint the elbow in extension.

If drains are used, they are removed after 12–24 hours.

Active assisted motion is encouraged within the first few days including gravity-assisted elbow flexion and extension. Encourage the patient to move the elbow actively in flexion, extension, pronation and supination as soon as possible. Delay exercises against resistance until healing is secure.

Use of the elbow for low intensity activities is encouraged, but should not be painful.

Range of motion must be monitored to prevent soft tissue contracture.

Prevent loading of the elbow for 6–8 weeks.

Monitor the patient to assess and encourage range of motion, and return of strength, endurance, and function, once healing is secure.

The patient is seen at regular intervals (every 10–20 days at first) until the fracture has healed and rehabilitation is complete.

As the proximal ulna is subcutaneous, bulky plates and other hardware may cause discomfort and irritation. If so, they may be removed once the bone is well healed, 12–18 months after surgery, but this is not essential.