Congenital radial head dislocation

Last revised by Yusra Sheikh on 18 Jun 2020

Congenital radial head dislocation is the most common congenital elbow abnormality. It can occur in isolation, or more commonly may be associated with other conditions or syndromes.

Overall, congenital radial head dislocation is rare 2.

Congenital radial head dislocation is often asymptomatic, which may result in a delayed presentation. Patients usually present in adolescence, when the child starts using the limb more. 

On examination there may be mild loss of flexion with radial head prominence just below the antecubital fossa in anterior dislocation or mild loss extension in a posterior dislocation. There may also be subtle decrease in range of pronation and supination.

Congenital radial head dislocation is bilateral in the majority of cases. Posterior dislocation (~70%) is more common than anterior and lateral dislocations (15% each) 1, 2

The underlying abnormality is hypothesized to be failure of development of a normal capitellum, causing loss of contact pressure required for normal development of the radial head. This results in malformation of the radiocapitellar joint leading to altered biomechanics at the proximal radioulnar joint and abnormal development of the ulna.

Diagnostic criteria have been proposed by McFarland 2

  • absent or hypoplastic and flattened capitellum
  • prominent ulna epicondyle
  • partially abnormal trochlea
  • domed radial head articular surface with a long neck
  • negative ulnar variance

Limited application in infants with unossified epiphyses and suspected dislocation.

Treatment is largely non-operative in the majority of cases 3 with analgesics and follow-up. Surgical treatments include:

  • radial head excision (contraindicated in skeletally immature patients)
  • radial head reconstruction 1
  • shortening of proximal radius

Other causes for chronic radial head dislocation should be considered including post-traumatic and developmental causes 2

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