Operative treatment of Mason Type III radial head fractures – A comparative analysis using PROMIS

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of operatively treated Mason Type III radial head fractures. Additionally, this project seeks to assess efficacy of PROMIS in evaluating post-operative outcomes for this patient population. Methods A total of 143 patients who underwent operative treated Mason Type III radial head fractures were analyzed retrospectively. PROMIS physical function (PF), PROMIS upper extremity (UE), PROMIS pain interference (PI), demographic variables, and range of motion were collected and analyzed over 12-month follow-up. Results Radial head arthroplasty (RHA) was performed on 89 patients, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed on 47 patients, and radial head excision was performed on 7 patients. Among the RHA patients, PROMIS PF, PI and UE demonstrated a change of −1.33 (p < 0.05), −1.48 (p < 0.05), and 2.23 (p < 0.05) respectively from injury to 12-months. Among the ORIF patients, PROMIS PF, PI and UE demonstrated a change of 3.22 (p < 0.05), −1.56 (p < 0.05), and 2.09 (p < 0.05) respectively from injury to 12-months. At the pre-operative and 12-month visits, the RHA group demonstrated lower PROMIS PF scores 34.75 vs 38.02 (p < 0.05) and 33.42 vs 41.24 (p < 0.05) respectively. Ther was no difference in PROMIS PI, UE, or elbow range of motion between the two groups at 6- or 12-month follow-up (p > 0.05). Conclusion Comparing the RHA and ORIF groups, there was no difference in PROMIS PI or UE scores nor was there a clinically significant improvement at the 6- or 12-month mark. The ORIF group demonstrated improved PROMIS PF at all follow-up periods and did show a clinically significant improvement. Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) correlated only with PROMIS UE at 6- and 12- months for both groups.