Abstract

A review of the literature was performed to survey the history of the radial head prosthesis in traumatology. Radial head resection was the treatment of choice before Speed first reconstructed the radial head with a metal prosthesis. Over the years, the indication for the use of a radial head prosthesis changed from the prevention of heterotopic ossification to the prevention of proximal migration of the radius and instability of the elbow. Currently, the optimal indication for the use of radial head prostheses is a non-reconstructible radial head fracture with associated injuries that would leave the elbow, or forearm unstable if the radial head were resected.