3. Objectives
Radiological Anatomy of the elbow
Differentiate congenital vs traumatic (proper diagnosis)
If traumatic isolated or Monteggia
Debate in management
5. • Assessment of these radiographs depends on evaluating the
anatomic relationships of the ossification centers of the
elbow including
The position of the radial head relative to the capitellum
Anterior humeral line relative to the capitellum
Baumann’s angle
Interpretation of pediatric elbow radiographs is complicated by
the cartilaginous components of the elbow that are radiolucent.
8. Relation bet. Humeral shaft & capitellum
• The capitellum is angulated
anteriorly about 30 degrees.
• The appearance of the distal
humerus is similar to
a hockey stick.
11. Causes
Congenital
• Rare but it is the
most common cong.
anomaly of elbow
• Isolated or syndromic
in more than of 50%
Traumatic
Mostly as a part of monteggia
Rarely as isolated
Developmental
Inadequate length of the
radius & multiple hereditary
osteochondromatosis (MHE)
12. Congenital VS traumatic
Bilateral involvement in 60%
Hypoplastic capitellum
Lack of history of trauma
Dome shaped radial head
Other congenital anomalies
Posterior is the most common
13. Radiographic diagnostic criteria as described
by McFarland
Shortening of the ulna or overlength of
the radius
Hypoplasia of the capitellum
Grooving of the distal radius
Prominent ulnar epicondyle
Partially defective trochlea
Dome-shaped radial head with a long
narrow neck
14. Additional criteria that favour a congenital dislocation are
described by Mardam-Bey & Ger (1979)
Bilateral involvement
Other congenital anomalies
Familial occurrence
Dislocation seen at birth
No history of trauma
Ulnar bowing
15. Presentation
Congenital radial head dislocation is not
manifest at birth because the condition is
difficult to detect clinically.
Usually diagnosed years after birth
No associated history of trauma.
limitation of forearm motion especially supination.
Mechanical block of elbow flexion occurs with anterior radial head dislocation.
Posterior dislocation presents with bony prominence of the radial head in the postro-lateral aspect
Painful elbow snapping as a result of annular ligament interposition during flexion and extension
16. Isolated congenital vs syndromic
• 60% of all cases, seen in conjunction
with various syndromes e.g
Nail patella syndrome
Silver’s syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
congenital radioulnar synostosis
mental retardation
Other associated anomalies include
Skeletal dysplasia
Craniosynostosis
Synostosis of the tibia and fibula
Scoliosis.
17. Nursemaid's elbow (Pulled elbow)
• Untreated traumatic dislocation of the radial head during childhood
may present with radiographic and clinical manifestations that are
similar to those of congenital radial head dislocation.
• The differentiation can be difficult.
Radiographic criteria that may support its congenital nature include:
Short radius relative to the ulna
Bilateral involvement
The presence of other musculoskeletal anomalies
19. Isolated VS Monteggia
• Isolated traumatic radial head
dislocation is exceptional
• When you find a case of traumatic
radial head dislocation is considered
Monteggia till proved otherwise
• Diagnosis of isolated radial head
dislocation is the diagnosis of
exclusion
Isolated traumatic dislocation of the
radial head is controversial
20.
21. Isolated traumatic dislocation
• The mechanism is not well known
Two opposing theories are described.
Forced hyper-pronation forearm on
elbow in extension with or without
varus has been described
The other is hyperforced elbow extension
on full supination of the forearm with or
without tear of the biceps
22. Treatment of congenital radial head dislocation
SURGERY
• Various surgical treatment possibilities
have been discussed in literature:
Resection
Rotation & shortening osteotomy
Reconstruction of the annular ligament
Ulnar osteotomy ± annular reco.
Ilizarov assisted reduction
Conservative
The elbow is not so forgiving when
operated upon
DO NOT TOUCH ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENT
23.
24. Indications of surgery
• Symptomatic patient :
Pain
Painful snapping
Functional impairment (ROM)
Cosmetic reasons.
25. Treatment of traumatic radial head dislocation
Conservative
DO NOT TOUCH ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENT
Acute
Closed reduction ± pinning
If failed
Open reduction with annular repair or
reco. ± pinning
Chronic
Surgery
Open reduction +
Annular lig. Reco.
Ulnar osteotomy
26. Annular ligament reconstruction
Using
Central or lateral slip of
triceps fascia
Forearm fascia
Fascia lata
Palmaris longus tendon.
Theoretically this fascial slip acts both as a dynamic
and static stabilizer and prevents radial head
subluxation.
Modified Bell Tawse technique
27. Actually reconstruction alone is insufficient to maintain the reduction.
Possible complications
Osteolytic changes
Avascular necrosis
Narrowing and growth disturbance of the radial neck
Heterotopic ossification
Radio-ulnar synostosis
Restricted pronation and supination
28. Missed Monteggia fracture in children:
Is annular ligament reconstruction always required?
• CONCLUSION:
Distraction-angulation osteotomy of the ulna suffices in
most cases of missed monteggia fracture and the need
for annular ligament reconstruction is based on
intraoperative findings of radial head instability
Indian journal of orthopedic IJO 2009
29.
30. Ulnar osteotomy with or without ligament
reconstruction
Floating osteotomy without fixation or stabilized by graft
Corrective diaphyseal osteotomy
Proximal bending osteotomy
Angulation and elongation osteotomy ( most popular nowadays)
Gradual lengthening and angulation of the ulna using an external fixator.
38. What about trans-capitullar K- wire
(much debate)
Old thinking
In procedures involving reconstruction around the radial head, it is mandatory to
stabilize the radial head by a trans-capitellar K wire to prevent redislocation
43. Take home message
Identify radial head dislocation
Differentiate congenital from traumatic
Differentiate isolated traumatic from monteggia
Specify treatment method of each case individually