Assessment of Intra-articular Screw Penetration During Radial Head and Olecranon Locking Plate Fixation: A Cadaveric Study.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of radiographic and clinical exams in predicting screw penetration into the proximal radioulnar joint and ulnohumeral joint during open reduction and internal fixation of the radial head and proximal ulna.

Methods: Olecranon and radial head plates were applied to 15 cadaveric elbows. Screws were assessed for intra-articular joint penetration using both clinical exam and radiographic evaluation.

Intermediate-term to long-term outcome of surgically and nonsurgically treated congenital, isolated radial head dislocation.

Purpose: Adolescent patients with congenital radial head dislocation presenting with pain and limitation in motion might benefit from radial head excision. We report objective and patient-rated data for patients treated with radial head excision and those followed nonsurgically. We hypothesized that surgery would improve pain and motion and that outcomes and the need for additional surgery would be similar between the 2 groups.

Screw depth sounding in proximal humerus fractures to avoid iatrogenic intra-articular penetration.

Unstable and displaced proximal humerus fractures remain a treatment challenge. The use of locked plates has improved construct stability, but complication rates remain high. Biomechanical studies have emphasized the importance of anchoring screws in the subchondral bone of the humeral head to improve implant stability.