Delayed radial head dislocation after radial shaft fracture fixation: a case report and review of the literature

Background Ipsilateral fracture of the radial shaft with dislocation of the radial head was a rare injury, but a delayed radial head dislocation after radial shaft fracture fixation was more extremely rare. Case presentation A 39-year-old man fell from the height on his outstretched hand and injured his left, non-dominant forearm. Preoperative radiographs demonstrated a comminuted fracture of the proximal third of the radius but with no apparent dislocation of the distal or proximal radioulnar joints or the elbow. Seven days after the injury, the radius was fixed with a reconstruction locking plate, and the immediate postoperative radiograph revealed a satisfactory reduction. However, a radiograph done at the 4th week postoperatively showed that the radial head dislocated. Manual reduction under anesthesia was tried but failed and the patient refused to take another open surgery. The patient had an acceptable range of motion 12 months after the surgery: elbow flexion 120°, full elbow extension, forearm pronation 80°, forearm supination 80°, but he complained the pain around the elbow. Conclusion In the case of radial shaft fracture especially the when occurs at the proximal third of the radial shaft, even if the radiograph does not show the injury of the proximal radioulnar joint, we should also make a thorough examination of the proximal radioulnar joint. If the radial head dislocation is not initially diagnosed or treated late, a delayed dislocation would be very difficult to manage with a poor expected outcome.