Skip to main content
JDRS · Open access journal
Joint Diseases and
Related Surgery
Online manuscript submissionSubmit a manuscript e-ISSN 2687-4792

Case Report · Open access

Conservative treatment of congenital radial head subluxation and non-traumatic elbow locking: A case report

PDF Cite this article

Shao-Guang Li

Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

ORCID: 0000-0001-5888-509X

Shuai-Jie LV

Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

ORCID: 0000-0002-8331-4800

Ding-Yi Zhang

Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

ORCID: 0000-0002-0800-217X

Bang-Jian He

Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

ORCID: 0000-0001-8241-1628

Abstract

Congenital radial head subluxation is relatively rare and may be overlooked due to mild symptoms. The diagnosis mainly relies on imaging and history. Observation is an option for those with insignificant symptoms, while surgical intervention, such as ulnar osteotomy or arthroscopy, is often required when dysfunction exists. A 30-year-old man was admitted with congenital radial head dislocation, which was treated with manipulative repositioning. During follow-up, the patient regained the original mobility of the elbow joint and had no recurrence of dislocation. In conclusion, in adults with congenital dislocation of the radial head, we recommend conservative treatment as a first step.

* The two authors contributed equally to this study.

Declarations

Informed Consent

A written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Author Contributions

Contributed to manuscript writing and editing: S.G.L.; Contributed to diagnosis and treatment: B.J.H.; Contributed to Treatment; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript: S.J.L.; Contributed to figure collection: D.Y.Z.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

Financial Disclosure

This work was supported by the Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project (grant No. 2023ZF019).

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  1. Agnew DK, Davis RJ. Congenital unilateral dislocation of the radial head. J Pediatr Orthop 1993;13:526-8. DOI: 10.1097/01241398-199307000-00020.
  2. Bengard MJ, Calfee RP, Steffen JA, Goldfarb CA. Intermediateterm to long-term outcome of surgically and nonsurgically treated congenital, isolated radial head dislocation. J Hand Surg Am 2012;37:2495-501. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.08.032.
  3. Błoński M, Podgórski A, Zakrzewski P, Pomianowski S. Surgical management of congenital radial head dislocation: A case report. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 2012;14:385-91. DOI: 10.5604/15093492.1005087.
  4. Kim HJ, Kim PT, Lee HJ, Deslivia MF. Elbow locking in a patient with a congenital radial head dislocation: Case report. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2017;103:319-21. DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2016.12.008.
  5. Liu R, Miao W, Mu M, Wu G, Qu J, Wu Y. Ulnar rotation osteotomy for congenital radial head dislocation. J Hand Surg Am 2015;40:1769-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.06.005.
  6. Sachar K, Mih AD. Congenital radial head dislocations. Hand Clin 1998;14:39-47.
  7. Jamieson RP, Ek ET. Isolated proximal radioulnar joint instability: Anatomy, clinical presentation, and current treatment options. JBJS Rev 2020;8:e0169. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.19.00169.
  8. Kosay C, Akcali O, Manisali M, Ozaksoy D, Ozcan C. Congenital anterior dislocation of the radial head: A case with radiographic findings identical to traumatic dislocation. Eur J Radiol 2002;43:57-60. DOI: 10.1016/s0720-048x(01)00424-7.
  9. Kaas L, Struijs PA. Congenital radial head dislocation with a progressive cubitus valgus: A case report. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2012;7:39-44. DOI: 10.1007/s11751-011-0126-z.
  10. Maruyama M, Takahara M, Kikuchi N, Ito K, Watanabe T, Ogino T. Snapping elbow with congenital radial head dislocation: Case report. J Hand Surg Am 2010;35:981-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.02.026.
  11. Otoshi K, Kikuchi S, Igari T, Ejiri S, Konno S. Voluntary reducible recurrent anterior dislocation of radial head in juvenile baseball player. A case report and review of the literatures. JSES Rev Rep Tech 2023;3:436-42. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2023.05.005.
  12. Song KS, Ramnani K, Cho CH. Long term follow-up of open realignment procedure for congenital dislocation of the radial head. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2011;36:161-2. DOI: 10.1177/1753193410390131.
  13. Yamazaki H, Kato H. Open reduction of the radial head with ulnar osteotomy and annular ligament reconstruction for bilateral congenital radial head dislocation: A case with long-term follow-up. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2007;32:93-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsb.2006.09.003.
  14. Atik OŞ. Writing for Joint Diseases and Related Surgery (JDRS): There is something new and interesting in this article! Jt Dis Relat Surg 2023;34:533. DOI: 10.52312/jdrs.2023.57916.
  15. Gao J, Tang J, Li M, Li H, Peng Y, Wang C, et al. Bilateral anterior congenital radial head dislocation in adults: A case report and literature review. Front Surg 2023;10:1155461. DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1155461.
  16. Oosterwijk AM, Nieuwenhuis MK, van der Schans CP, Mouton LJ. Shoulder and elbow range of motion for the performance of activities of daily living: A systematic review. Physiother Theory Pract 2018;34:505-28. DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2017.1422206.