[Isolated dislocation of the radius head in childhood]

In a collective study 24 isolated dislocations of the radial head in children were analysed. Early diagnosis was made in only 13 cases, delayed diagnosis in 11 cases one week to 18 months after the injury. Closed reduction was impossible in all cases of delayed diagnosis. Early detection of the lesion led to excellent late results without exception. The final results after operative treatment of the 11 children with delayed diagnosis were good in only two cases, 6 were poor and 3 were unsatisfactory. The functional lesions after delayed treatment were caused by persistent dislocation or subluxation, deformity of the radial head, and humeroradial arthrosis.