Work

Traumatic isolated anterior radial head dislocation in a 7-Year-old girl: Delayed diagnosis and successful surgical management with 5-Year follow-up

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Isolated radial head dislocation in children is a rare injury, often resulting from trauma or associated with complex elbow conditions like Monteggia fracture-dislocations. Its low incidence can lead to missed diagnoses, potentially causing long-term complications such as pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. Early recognition and intervention are essential. Case presentation: A 7-year-old girl presented with persistent left elbow pain and limited motion three weeks after a fall on her outstretched hand. Initial treatment at a local facility misdiagnosed it as a soft-tissue injury. Radiographs revealed anterior radial head dislocation without fractures. Closed reduction failed, leading to open reduction and annular ligament reconstruction using a modified Bell-Tawse technique. Postoperative fixation and rehabilitation followed. Conclusion: At 5-year follow-up, the patient achieved near-complete functional recovery with minimal pronation limitation. This case underscores the importance of thorough radiographic assessment in pediatric elbow trauma and demonstrates successful outcomes from surgical intervention in delayed presentations.

Source: Orthopedic Reviews

DOI: 10.52965/001c.145857

Authors: Diep The Nguyen, Nam Thanh Phan

Institution: Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Language: English

Topic: Elbow and Forearm Trauma Treatment

Subfield: Rehabilitation

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200