Isolated Anterior Dislocation of the Radial Head with Atypical Presentation in an Adult: A Case Report^[*]

Abstract

Isolated anterior dislocation of the radial head is rarely reported. To date, only five cases have been reported in the world literature. In all of these cases, the patients presented with restricted supination–pronation movements of the forearm with maintained elbow flexion–extension. We report an unusual case of isolated anterior radial head dislocation in an 18-year-old male, who presented with maintained supination–pronation movements of the forearm but restricted elbow flexion–extension. Closed reduction was attempted, but it failed. Hence, an open reduction was performed. However, the reduction was unstable due to rupture of the annular ligament. Hence, the repair of the annular ligament was performed, and a radio-ulnar Kirschner wire was passed to maintain the reduction of the proximal radio-ulnar joint, thus keeping the annular ligament stress-free, facilitating its healing. At 12 months of follow-up, the patient had normal elbow function and complete range of motion.

Keywords

elbow joint - joint dislocations - radius - articular ligaments

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of the data concerning the case.

^* Originally Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

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