Outcomes Following Radial Head Excision for Post-Traumatic Radiocapitellar Arthrosis in the Pediatric Patient

Description

This presentation features Andrea Chan, a hand surgeon from Toronto Western Hospital, discussing outcomes following radial head excision for post-traumatic radiocapitellar arthritis in pediatric patients. Starting with an introduction to a specific case, Chan highlights the importance of carefully evaluating elbow injuries in children, especially concerning the TRASH lesions, which can appear benign on X-rays but may have significant long-term consequences if overlooked. Chan details a case of an 11-year-old boy who suffered a basketball-related elbow injury, which initially seemed mild, but led to chronic pain and stiffness years later due to a missed anterior radial head compression fracture. The presentation includes postoperative insights from a study of skeletally immature patients who underwent radial head excisions, reporting improvements in pain and range of motion with a low complication rate. Chan emphasizes the need for early recognition of such injuries to prevent future arthritis and discusses the implications of ulnar positive variance observed post-surgery. The overarching conclusion suggests that radial head excision in pediatric cases can lead to favorable short-term outcomes but calls for further research to assess long-term effects and explore alternative surgical interventions.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-220896

Specialties

Conferences