Radial head dislocation is a condition in which the radial head has lost its normal relationship with the humeral condyle. This condition usually occurs due to acute trauma (associated with an upper limb fracture or isolated) but is sometimes secondary to a congenital or chronic condition (cerebral palsy, skeletal dysplasia, etc.) or an unrecognized past traumatic event.
We use modern and excellent surgical techniques to intervene on the pathology “Radial head dislocation“
Radial head dislocation is a condition in which the radial head has lost its normal relationship with the humeral condyle.
Radial head dislocation: causes
Radial head dislocation can occur as a result of various conditions:
It generally occurs due to acute trauma (associated or not with fractures of the upper limb) and in this case the condition is acute, painful and must be treated promptly
Sometimes, however, this condition isn’t acute and isn’t painful, so much so that it’s sometimes only revealed by the protrusion of the capitellum or by the limited range of motion of the elbow. In these cases, the cause may be:
congenital
cerebral palsy
skeletal dysplasia: multiple exostoses, etc.
An unrecognized past traumatic event: typically a Monteggia fracture involving a fractured ulna and dislocation of the radial head, where treatment was focused solely on healing the ulna fracture without recognizing the associated dislocation of the radial head. See dedicated factsheet.
Radial head dislocation: treatment
Treatment varies depending on the cause and the disorders:
from simple observation
to reconstruction and realignment surgeries (ulna osteotomies, ulnar lengthening with an external fixator, ligamentous reconstruction, etc.)
