Chronic post-traumatic lateral dislocation of the radial head

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Pediatric Traumatology
• Pediatric Radiology

Background:

• Chronic radial head dislocation in children is rare, often stemming from undiagnosed Monteggia lesions.
• Delayed diagnosis can lead to persistent pain, restricted motion, and secondary arthritis.
• Treatment options for chronic radial head dislocation are debated, ranging from non-operative management to surgical interventions.

Observation:

• This case report details a child with chronic post-traumatic lateral radial head dislocation.
• The child underwent surgical treatment involving ulna osteotomy with rigid fixation and annular ligament reattachment.
• Five cases of chronic lateral Monteggia lesions have been previously reported with varied outcomes, including redislocation.

Findings:

• The presented surgical technique successfully maintained concentric reduction of the radial head at a 2-year follow-up.
• The clinical outcome for the treated child was highly satisfactory.
• This approach demonstrated effectiveness in managing chronic post-traumatic lateral radial head dislocation in a pediatric patient.

Implications:

• This surgical method offers a potentially effective treatment for chronic post-traumatic lateral radial head dislocation in children.
• Further research may validate this technique for similar pediatric orthopedic cases.
• Improved management strategies can prevent long-term complications like arthritis and functional limitations.