The use of frozen-allograft radial head replacement for treatment of established symptomatic proximal translation of the radius: Preliminary experience in five cases

Five patients with disabling symptoms related to proximal translation (>1 cm) of the radius following radial head excision (Essex-Lopresti lesion) were treated with implantation of a frozen-allograft radial head prosthesis. Following restoration of neutral ulnar variance at the wrist, a size-matched frozen radial head allograft was implanted and secured to the proximal radius with internal fixation. In three patients, this was a two-stage procedure; radial length was restored gradually using an Ilizarov external fixation device and the allograft was placed later. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean follow-up time of 3 years (range, 1–7 years). All patients had relief of wrist and elbow pain and were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Forearm rotation improved by a mean of 37° and wrist motion improved by a mean of 45°. Forearm reconstruction with frozen radial head allograft implantation may be a beneficial method of treatment for this difficult problem.