Traumatic radial head subluxation in young children: a case report and literature review.

Traumatic radial head subluxation in young children is reviewed. This minor condition commonly results from a sudden longitudinal traumatic pull on pronated and extended forearm and appears to be infrequently recognized or diagnosed. Differential diagnosis of traumatic radial head subluxation from traumatic radial head dislocation, congenital radial head dislocation, brachial plexus palsy and "invisible" elbow fractures are discussed. It is postulated here that there are two types of traumatic rotary radial head subluxation in pronation, the simple type and the lateral type. Careful analysis of anteroposterior view of elbow reveals the change of the shape and position of the radial tuberosity indicating the simple type, or concommitant with lateral displacement of the radial head on the ulna indicating the lateral type. The lateral type and its reposition are demonstrated when premanipulative roentgenograms are compared with postmanipulative roentgenograms in one of the eight illustrative cases. Details of the supination manipulative reduction are described and demonstrated.