In five immature macaque monkeys, the right radial head was excised and
the left forearm served as a control. Growth of each radius, ulna, and
proximal and distal physis was followed for eight years. Total radial
growth was slightly less on the side that was operated on than it was on
the control side. After excision of the radial head, 95 per cent of radial
growth came from the distal physis, compared with 71 per cent on the
control side. A regenerated radial head, which had an irregular surface of
fibrocartilaginous tissue, accounted for the remainder of growth on the
side that had been operated on. Incongruous contact of articular surfaces
resulted in degenerative changes in the capitellum. The arms that had been
operated on were left with a flexion contracture that was an average of 12
degrees greater than that of the normal elbows, and they had a carrying
angle that was an average of 6 degrees greater than that on the normal
side. The arc of pronation and supination was decreased for the forearms
that had been operated on, but motion of the wrist was unaffected. In our
study, excision of the radial head in growing monkeys resulted in minimum
radial shortening, slight deformity of the elbow, and moderate impairment
of rotation of the forearm.