To evaluate the clinical outcome of silicone radial head prosthesis for treatment of comminuted radial head fractures.

Seven patients who had taken a radial head replacement with a silicone prosthesis from November 2001 to April 2004 were enrolled in the study. Mean age was 49.1 years old when they sustained a fracture of the radial head or neck. There were two Mason type III fractures and five Mason type IV fractures. Associtated injuries were a variant of Monteggia fracture, Essex-Lopresti injuries and a capitellum fracture. Mean follow-up was 20.3 months. The clinical outcome was analized by Mayo Elbow Performance Index.

Overall outcome was that two cases were excellent, four cases were good and one case was fair. There were complications which included limitation of motion, radioulnar synostosis and proximal migration of radius.

The silicone radial head prosthesis was found to be recommendable treatment option for patients with Mason type III and IV radial head fractures which were difficult to be reconstructed.