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Media Gallery

Congenital radial head dislocation.
The radial head must be aligned with the capitellum on all views. Simple ulna fracture on anteroposterior view; radial head appears in place but see Image below.
The radial head must be aligned with the capitellum on all views. Dislocated radial head is observed on the lateral radiograph.
Soft tissue injury. Soft tissues are as important as bone in determining functional outcome.
Isolated radial head dislocation is almost always treated closed.
Minimally displaced radial head/neck fractures can be treated with early motion.
Floating elbow. Combined Monteggia fracture with dislocation and supracondylar humerus fractures. Treatment of a floating elbow requires fixation of both fractures.
Displaced radial head fracture.
Radial head fracture fixation.
Radial head fracture in a child.
Radial head fracture in a child.
Radial head replacement, Monteggia variant and the radial head could not be salvaged.
Radial head replacement, temporary spacer.
Radial head excessive excision. Do not excise distal to the annular ligament because the forearm becomes unstable.
Radial head replacement, salvage with radial head spacer.
Unsuccessful open reduction of Monteggia fracture-dislocation.
Displaced radial head fracture.
Fixation with hardware pain.
Same patient as in Image above. Pain was resolved after hardware removal.
Synostosis after Monteggia fracture-dislocation; see Image below.
Improved motion after synostosis resection.
Monteggia variant with radial head fracture.
Fixation of both radial head and ulna.

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Author

Steven I Rabin, MD, FAAOS Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine; Medical Director, Musculoskeletal Services, Dreyer Medical Clinic

Steven I Rabin, MD, FAAOS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Fracture Association, American Orthopaedic Association, AO Foundation, Chicago Metropolitan Trauma Society, Illinois Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, Orthopaedic Trauma Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

N Ake Nystrom, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, FAAOS, FAOA Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine; Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Faculty of Sports Medicine Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine; Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedics, UT Health San Antonio; Consulting Surgeon, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy and Reconstruction of the Knee, Hip and Shoulder

Thomas M DeBerardino, MD, FAAOS, FAOA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Herodicus Society, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Arthrex, Inc.; MTF; Aesculap; Conmed; JRF<br/>Received research grant from: Arthrex, Inc.; MTF.

Additional Contributors

Michael S Clarke, MD Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Michael S Clarke, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Mid-Central States Orthopaedic Society, Missouri State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Radial Head Fractures and Dislocations
Overview
Presentation
Workup
Treatment
Questions & Answers
Media Gallery
Tables
References

Type	Description	Equivalent(s)	%
Type I	Anterior dislocation of the radial head and anterior angulation of the ulna fracture	Radial head or neck fracture instead of dislocation	60
Type II	Posterior dislocation of the radial head and posterior angulation of the ulna fracture	Posterior elbow dislocation Radial head or neck fracture instead of dislocation	105
Type III	Lateral dislocation of the radial head with proximal ulna fracture	Radial head or neck fracture instead of dislocation	20
Type IV	Anterior dislocation of the radial head and proximal shafts of both bones fractured at same level	Radial head or neck fracture instead of dislocation	5

Radial Head Fractures and Dislocations Questions & Answers

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

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