Background

In adults, isolated radial neck fractures are very rare with an incidence of 1 % of all fractures [1]. There is no separate classification of these fracture types and the therapeutic management is controversial depending on fracture displacement. The majority of slightly displaced radial neck fractures are treated conservatively with early initiation of physical therapy [2]. However, displaced fractures in adults have to be managed surgically as the correction potential is limited compared to that in children. For severely displaced fractures, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) by locked plating is recommended as the treatment of choice nowadays [3]. Nevertheless, ORIF with the potential harm of the surgical approach due to an affection of the vascularization of the radial head and implant-related problems potentially affecting the forearm rotation seems not to be adequate in slightly displaced fractures [4, 5].

In paediatric surgery—based on the classification of Judet—displaced radial neck fractures with an angulation of more than 30° are treated surgically [6–8]. In most cases, the procedure of intramedullary pinning is used. This minimal-invasive technique with a limited risk of the surgical approach leaves the proximal radio-ulnar joint intact, allows a reliable reduction of the radial head, and is proven with good to excellent results in children and adolescents [9–12].

Besides reported outcomes of standard open procedures (ORIF), there is only a single case published in the literature evaluating the results of intramedullary pinning of radial neck fractures in adults [13]. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective case series was to determine the functional results of this technique performed in mature elbow surgery.

Methods

Patients

Between February 2009 and December 2014, a total of eight patients were treated with intramedullary pinning using titanium elastic nails (TEN). All patients had suffered from an isolated radial neck fracture without clinical signs of joint instability (type-III-fractures according to Mason’s classification [6]). Three of eight treated fractures were initially notable displaced due to their injury pattern. The remaining five fractures were slightly displaced after injury but rated as unstable with a high risk of secondary displacement (due to metaphyseal comminution). With a mean of 36 months (range 6–64 months; minimum 6 months) seven patients (two men, five women) returned for follow-up survey. One patient was not available due to bad general conditions.

Surgical technique

The operative treatment of intramedullary pinning was performed using the technique described by Metaizeau [6]. In all cases, the patient was placed supine with the injured arm on a radiolucent table under general anaesthesia. Before skin incision, fluoroscopy was performed to confirm joint stability. As entry point for the TEN, the metaphyseal zone of the styloid process of the distal radius was marked under image intensifier (see Fig. 1). After a 0.5-cm skin incision and soft tissue dissection, the superficial branch of the radial nerve was visualized and carefully retracted. The lateral radial cortex was exposed and perforated using a drill with a diameter of 2.5 mm. Thus, the TEN was introduced into the intramedullary canal and following the displaced radial head was reduced with gently rotational movements under fluoroscopic control. According to the width of the intramedullary canal, one or two TEN (Fa. DepuySynthes, Umkirch, Germany) with different thicknesses were used for closed intramedullary pinning in all patients (Table 1). All operations were performed by experienced upper extremity surgeons with a mean interval from injury to surgery of 2.9 days (range 1–7 days). No additional surgical procedures were necessary in any case.

Fig. 1
figure 1

illustration of the correct entry point of the TEN. The correct entry point of the TEN on a sawbone (a) is illustrated in this figure. The cortex has to be exposed and perforated using a Pfriem-type trocar (a/b), by taking care not to injure the superficial branch of the radial nerve (c)

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Table 1 patients’ collective
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For postoperative management, all patients were immobilized with a plaster cast for 2 days. Active-assisted range of motion was allowed immediately after surgery under physiotherapeutical control. Sporting activities were restricted for 3 months.

Evaluation

Personal interviews and elbow scoring were carried out by an independent investigator (MC) not involved in the initial surgical management. All patients gave written informed consent prior to being included to the study. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee (IRB 314/15).

For subjective evaluation, patients rated their satisfaction for elbow use on a scale of 1–6 (1—very good; 2—good; 3—satisfied; 4—sufficient; 5—insufficient; 6—poor) patients additionally fulfilled the Elbow Self Assessment Score (ESAS) [14]. Objective assessment consisted of a physical examination for active elbow range of motion (ROM) for extension and flexion as well as forearm rotation on the injured and uninjured arm. Moreover, sensomotoric disturbances and postoperative complications were recorded. Functional scoring included a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain rating, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) [15] and the shortened disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) [16, 17]. Postoperative x-rays were evaluated with special respect to bony healing, heterotopic ossifications and the alignment of the radiocapitellar joint as well. All results were presented as mean (Ø) ± standard deviation values.

Results

All results are summarized in Table 1. At time of follow-up, patients rated their satisfaction for elbow function as very good in four cases and good in two cases. Only one of the patients rated the postoperative result as sufficient.

The active ROM was unrestricted in all patients when compared to the unaffected side. Similarly, the strength for flexion–extension and pronation–supination was identical in seven of seven evaluated patients. None of the patients was affected in daily life or sporting activities. In the present cohort, there was only one minor complication (Table 1, case 3). This patient complained about an ongoing affection of the superficial radial nerve at the area of the entry point of the TEN. Pain has been described in this case with an intensity of four on the VAS during follow-up examination.

For functional scoring, the VAS for pain was Ø 0.6 (range 0–4), the MEPS was Ø 95.71 ± 7.32 (range 85–100) representing two good and five excellent results and the QuickDash revealed good to excellent results with Ø 6.81 ± 10.42 points (range 0–27). Consequently, the self-evaluation-score (ESAS) was Ø 98.52 ± 1.95 (range 96–100) indicating a non-restricted elbow function.

At time of follow-up evaluation, in all cases the TEN had already been removed with osseous healing of the radial neck. Heterotopic ossifications or avascular radial head necrosis were not seen in any patient. Follow-up radiographs showed a congruent radiocapitellar joint in all cases without any secondary loss of reduction or secondary displacement of the radial head (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

a.p. X-rays of patient nr 7 (see Table 1). This figure shows the a.p. X-rays of patient number 7. The patient suffered from a displaced Mason type III radial neck fracture (a). The postoperative results (b) following intramedullary pinning show a very good alignment. After implant removal (c) bony healing could be obtained, without a loss of alignment

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Discussion

Several studies have shown that the procedure of closed reduction and intramedullary pinning of isolated radial neck fractures is a safe technique leading to reliable results in children.

The present good to excellent functional results without affecting the elbow range of motion or patients’ activities of daily life support the statement that this approach can also be an alternative surgical procedure in the treatment of displaced radial neck fractures in adults. The advantages of this minimally-invasive technique are found in the avoidance of implant—related complications like screw dislocation or perforation affecting the proximal radio-ulnar joint. In addition, the ORIF is associated with a higher rate of avascular necrosis [18, 19], proximal synostosis [20], heterotopic ossifications [21], infection and loss of ROM [22]—especially in those cases where the plate has to be positioned out of the safe zone due to fracture pattern [4].

However, the indications for the described technique differ from those of open approaches. We see the indication for the closed reduction and intramedullary pinning especially in those cases where the ORIF procedure might be an overtreatment and the conservative treatment might just not be enough as the dislocation of the radial head can lead to an incongruity of the proximal radio-ulnar joint resulting in limited forearm rotation and/or leading to early onset osteoarthritis. Based on present data, the described technique represents a reliable option for type II and III fractures according to Judet [8] in adults. However, owing to the experiences of this case series, it has to be clearly stated that, in mature patients, the intramedullary procedure should be performed within the first week after trauma to obtain anatomical reduction of the displaced radial head. Failing this, the closed reduction by the TEN may not be possible due to the initiating fracture healing.

Nevertheless, there are reports in paediatric traumatology showing that even severely displaced fractures type III to IV according to Judet classification can be treated by use of this technique, but whether this works in adults as well has not been shown yet [23–25]. In those cases, the use of an additional percutaneous K-wire as a tool for reduction of the radial neck might be necessary [26].

Still this technique is not without potential complications and especially care has to be taken to avoid an affection of the superficial radial nerve as we found one patient complaining of hyperaesthesia of the dorsal thumb and the index finger. In addition, a second surgery is necessary for the TEN removal.

Till now we used this technique only in radial neck fractures with intact radial head as we are confident that ORIF of radial head/radial neck fractures with screws and plates is the treatment of choice. However, a sort of hybrid technique seems conceivable: after open reduction of the radial head with screws in partial radial head fractures, the radial neck component is stabilized by use of an intramedullary pin. This technique might help reduce the problems caused by the radial head plates affecting range of motion, especially in those cases, where the plate has to be used out of the safe zone. In addition, one would notice ligamentous lesions or postero-lateral instabilities caused by initial fall on the outstretched arm [27]. Therefore, especially lesions of the MCL have to be excluded prior the presented surgical procedure due to the important role of the MCL as a primary joint stabilizer in cases of radial head insufficiency. Future studies will show, whether the combination of a limited open reduction with intramedullary pinning is possible and helps reduce complications.

Though this is the first study to show that the transfer from paediatric traumatology to adults is possible, there are still some limitations. As isolated fractures of the radial neck not affecting the head are rare and therefore the number of patients who could be treated by this technique is limited, the number of patients presented in this study is small. Moreover, it has to be clearly stated that the rotation of the radial head is difficult to control during this minimal-invasive procedure, especially if only one single TEN is used. To address rotational malalignments, it could be possible to fix or to manipulate the radial head percutaneously from the lateral side.

Nevertheless, this study has several strengths. Except one, all patients were available with a mean of 36 months of follow-up and a complete assessment of objective functional parameters and elbow scoring. Moreover, this is the first case series evaluating this surgical technique applied in adults. Although we found good to excellent results for the presented technique, a randomized controlled trial with long-term follow-up may provide further guidelines for the optimal management of these fracture types. Thinking of the rare incidence of radial neck fractures, this kind of study will only be possible in a multi-center setup.

Conclusion

The current study shows that the treatment of isolated radial neck fractures using an intramedullary pin is a reliable and safe surgical technique in adults leading to good to excellent clinical results. Compared to ORIF, this surgical technique has a minor complication rate, though crucial care has to be taken to avoid any harm to the superficial radial nerve during the approach. Future research is needed to find out the best treatment option for this rare kind of elbow injuries.