Recurrent anterior instability of the radial head: case report

Abstract

We present a case of recurrent anterior instability of the radial head presenting 4 weeks after injury. A 16-year-old girl injured the right upper extremity while playing volleyball. Thereafter, she felt a recurrent click associated with pain in the elbow when rotating the forearm. Image intensifier findings implied that the radial head would anteriorly dislocate with contraction of the biceps brachii. Annular ligament reconstruction using the palmaris longus tendon graft relieved the instability.

Keywords: Radial head; annular ligament reconstruction; dislocation; recurrent subluxation.