Missed posttraumatic radial head dislocation

Radial head dislocations, either alone, or in association with fracture of forearm bones, are best managed acutely. If the injury is missed on initial radiographs, then treatment of the chronic injury involves open reduction of the radial head and reconstruction of the annular ligament. Alternatively, an ulnar elongation and corrective osteotomy may be done. In this article we describe the different methods that have been used to treat this injury and present illustrative cases with treatment guidelines.