How Common Is Recurrent Radial Head Subluxation?

Discussion Radial head subluxation (RHS) is most commonly occurs in children 6 months – 4 years old. It occurs because of the anatomy and child development. The radius is connected to the ulna just distal to the radial head by an annular ligament that encircles the radius “neck” (i.e. radial diaphysis) and inserts into the ulnar tuberosity. However the annular ligament is relatively small and also not as fibrous in young children compared to older children and adults. Young children often have their arm extended upward to hold hands with an adult especially when they are new walkers. If the child stumbles or for some other reason has the adult place traction (i.e. pull the extended arm) on the arm, the radial head can be subluxed distally and become entrapped in the ligament. The common name is nursemaid’s elbow for this reason. The child may cry in pain or not, but refuses to use the arm, especially the elbow, properly. The adult also may be unaware of what has happened since the incident doesn’t appear to have any significant trauma associated to it. This pulling mechanism is not universal and many times the cause may be something else (e.g. fall, hit, swinging, lifting, car seat, dressing, etc.) that is witnessed or often goes unwitnessed by an adult. There is a slight increase incidence in females than males and left elbow is more commonly affected than right. It is thought that as more adults are right handed that they tend to hold the left ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news