Treatment of isolated traumatic radial head dislocation after failed close reduction / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the surgical treatment of isolated traumatic radial head dislocation (ITRHD) after failed close reduction.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 8 patients with ITRHD who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital for operation after failed close reduction from January 2011 to December 2020. They were 2 males and 6 females, aged from 15 to 41 years (average, 27 years). The left elbow was injured in 3 patients and the right elbow in 5. At the last follow-up, elbow flexion-extension and forearm pronation-supination were recorded and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to evaluate functional recovery.Results:The 8 patients were followed up for 2 to 13 months (mean, 4.5 months). At the last follow-up, elbow flexion-extension averaged 136.9° and forearm pronation-supination 143.8°. None of the 8 patients had significant pain or joint instability. Of them, 7 had good motor function but one reported significant limitation of forearm rotation. All the 8 patients scored a full MEPS mark.Conclusions:If close reduction failed, ITRHD should be treated in time by operative treatment the efficacy of which is reliable. Fixation of the proximal radial-ulnar joint with Kirschner wire should be avoided. Early exercise for full range of elbow motion is necessary.