Radial head prosthesis after radial head and neck fractures - current literature and quality of evidence.

Due to the elbow joint's complex functional anatomy, the multifragmentary nature of many fractures and concomitant destabilizing associated injuries, dislocated fractures of the radial head and neck still present a serious challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Thorough knowledge of the elbow's anatomy and biomechanics is essential to analyze and understand the injury and plan its treatment. The aim of a differentiated therapy approach is to restore the joint's anatomy and kinetics, stable and painless joint function, and to avoid or at least delay posttraumatic joint changes. The degree of dislocation, stability of fragments, size and number of fractured joint surfaces and associated bony and ligamentous injuries (and the instability they incur) must be addressed in the therapy regimen. There are various treatment options depending on the injury's classification, i.e. a Mason I fracture is treated conservatively, while more severe injuries may require osteosynthesis and endoprosthesis. There is a lack of clear therapy recommendations based on solid evidence regarding Mason classification types III-IV. In particular expert opinions diverge and study results are inconsistent. Especially the value of radial head arthroplasty is still hotly debated. Key words: radial head fracture, radial head prosthesis, radial neck fracture, Mason classification, radial head arthroplasty, elbow injury.