The Clinical Outcomes of Radiocapitellar Reconstruction With Radiocapitellar Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Radiocapitellar arthroplasty fills a treatment void for young patients who experience isolated capitellar fractures or radiocapitellar osteoarthritis who are not candidates for total elbow arthroplasty. The outcomes of this procedure are sparsely reported. We designed a meta-analysis to determine the utility of radiocapitellar arthroplasty with respect to functional and patient reported outcomes. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Only studies published in English language that assessed patient reported outcomes following radiocapitellar arthroplasty were included in this study. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for 2020. RESULTS: The initial review yielded 562 studies that met the criteria. After excluding duplications and confounding factors, eight case series were identified for review. Of the eight studies, seven were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis for Mayo Elbow Performance Score, flexion-extension arc, and pronation–supination arc. The pooled standard mean difference was found to be statistically significant between pre-operative and post-operative outcomes for Mayo Elbow Performance Score (SMD = 3.04, 95% CI [2.40, 3.67]), flexion-extension arc (SMD = 1.28, 95% CI [0.73, 1.83]), and pronation–supination arc (SMD = 0.81, 95% CI [0.43, 1.18]). Cochran's Q-test and I(2) statistics indicated statistically significant heterogeneity for Mayo Elbow Performance Score (p = .04, I(2 )= 54%) and flexion-extension arc (p < .01, I(2 )= 67%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing radiocapitellar arthroplasty showed statistically significant improvements in flexion-extension arc, pronation–supination arc, and Mayo Elbow Performance Scores compared to pre-operative measures.