[A brief history of treatment for radial head fracture with radial head prosthesis.].

Since Speed first treated the radial head fracture with a metal prosthesis in 1941, the purpose of the treatment of radial head fracture with a radial head changed from the prevention of heterotopic ossification to the prevention of proximal migration of the radius and instability of the elbow. The optimal indication is gradually determined as a non-reconstructable radial head fracture with associated injuries that would leave the elbow unstable if the radial head were resected. Types of prosthesis changed from mono-block, bipolar to modular prosthesis. Material of prosthesis changed from acrylic resin, silastic to cobalt-chrome titanium and pyrocarbon. The 60-year development indicated that the operative technology of radial head prostheses was to be improved so as to reconstruct the flexibility and stability of the elbow to meet the higher functional requirements of patents.