A computer and image-assisted guidance system for radial head arthroplasty

Abstract

Accurately positioning components during radial head arthroplasty is difficult due to the complex shape of the radial head. The objective of this study was to develop a navigation system for patient-specific radial head implants using intra-operative surface-based registration techniques. Using an optical tracking system, an implant stem was navigated using real-time visualisation of the implant position and orientation (n = 8). Absolute positioning errors in the ML and AP directions were 0.8 ± 0.5 mm (and 1.1 ± 0.9°) and 0.8 ± 0.6 mm (and 1.2 ± 1.7°), respectively. Registration error was less than 1.0 mm. The current system is an important first step in the development of a computer-assisted system for implant navigation.

Keywords:

• Radial head
• fracture
• implant
• elbow
• computer-assisted surgery
• arthroplasty
• accuracy
• optical tracking

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Mark Welsh during experimental set-up and specimen testing.