radial head

Medical attention is needed if your child has symptoms of radial head subluxation.

The technical term for the injury is radial head subluxation.

Radial head subluxation should be treated by a doctor.

Be sure to follow your doctor's directions on how to care for your child after a radial head subluxation.

In adults it suggests a radial head fracture.

There are four types (depending upon displacement of the radial head):

Radial head subluxation usually occurs in young children.

Once the olecranon has been repaired, closed reduction of the radial head dislocation is usually possible.

Subluxation of the radial head may occur.

Other features of this condition include radial head dislocation, long bone bowing and mixed hearing loss.

After age 3, children's joints and ligaments gradually grow stronger, making radial head subluxation less likely to occur.

It promotes stability of the radial head dislocation and allows very early mobilisation to prevent stiffness.

Delayed treatment of the radial head fracture will also lead to proximal migration of the radius.

Radial head subluxation means that the radius, one of two long bones in the lower arm (forearm) , has pulled away from its normal position.

Radial head subluxation most often occurs in young children because the socket of the elbow joint and the supporting ligaments are not fully developed.

Although your child heals quickly, he or she has a greater chance of having another radial head subluxation, especially in the first few weeks after being injured.

Symptoms of radial head subluxation include:

In radial head subluxation, there is little complaint of pain, and the patient generally reports pain in the proximal forearm.

Radial head subluxation:

A fracture of the olecranon with anterior displacement of the radial head is called a Hume fracture.

I - Extension type (60%) - ulna shaft angulates anteriorly (extends) and radial head dislocates anteriorly.

Plain radiography shows the radial head fracture, with dorsal subluxation of the ulna often seen on lateral view of the pronated wrist.

II - Flexion type (15%) - ulna shaft angulates posteriorly (flexes) and radial head dislocates posteriorly.

Depending on the impact and forces applied in each direction, degree of energy absorption determines pattern, involvement of the radial head and whether or not open soft tissue occurs.

IV - Combined type (5%) - ulna shaft and radial shaft are both fractured and radial head is dislocated, typically anteriorly.