Avascular necrosis of the radial head in children

Avascular necrosis of the radial head is uncommon. A 20-year review of records at a Pediatric Trauma Center revealed eight cases of avascular necrosis of the radial head in children with an average of 10 years (range, 7-16 years). Symptoms of pain or restriction of elbow motion began at an average of 23 months after trauma in seven cases, and in one case, there was no history of trauma. Of the seven secondary to trauma, six resulted from a fall, and one from a torsional injury. The types of injuries associated with avascular necrosis of the radial head were two supracondylar fractures, a fracture of the lateral condyle, two fractures of the radius, a radial head dislocation that underwent a proximal radial osteotomy, and one with only an elbow contusion. The long-term results of radial head necrosis were poor, with three ultimately requiring radial head resection, and the remainder having considerable limitation of elbow motion. Loss of vascularity to the radial head is very analogous to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, with the late onset of incongruity, osteoarthritis, and hypertrophy of the head. It should be considered in any child with late-onset loss of elbow motion after trauma.