Sharing of the method of reducing radial head subluxation

Radial head subluxation, also known as Darla's elbow, is one of the common elbow injuries in infants and young children. This disease is more common in boys than in girls and on the left side than on the right side. When the elbow joint is straightened and the forearm is in the pronated position and is suddenly pulled longitudinally, it is easy to cause subluxation of the radial head. Sometimes when a child turns over, the upper arm is pressed under the torso, causing injury and dislocation. It often occurs when adults lead children up stairs or pull their arms. Let’s take a look at the sharing of the reduction technique for radial head subluxation.

One cause

There is a certain inclination between the articular surface of the radial head and the longitudinal axis of the radius, the size of which is related to the rotation activity of the forearm. Changes in the inclination will affect the up and down movement of the annular ligament. In the pronation and supination positions of the forearm, this variability in the inclination will undoubtedly make it easy to dislocate. When the wrist or forearm in the extended elbow position is suddenly subjected to longitudinal traction by rotation, the lower part of the annular ligament will be torn horizontally and move slightly downward, causing the radiohumeral joint space to become larger. Due to the negative pressure in the joint cavity, the joint capsule and the upper part of the annular ligament only need to slide over a part of the articular surface of the inclined distal end of the radial head to become embedded in the radial joint space, thereby preventing the radial head from being reduced and causing radial head subluxation.

Second treatment

The treatment of this disease mainly relies on manual reduction. The correct reduction method does not require traction, and inappropriate traction can easily lead to reduction failure. No anesthesia is required for reduction. Rotate the forearm from extension to flexion of the elbow joint. When the reduction is successful, you can feel a bouncing sensation at the radial humeral joint. After reduction, the elbow and forearm can move freely, and there is no obstacle to raising the forearm. After reduction, use a triangular bandage to suspend for 1 week without plaster fixation.

Three preventions

1. When pulling (lifting) a child's hands, you should pull the sleeves at the same time.

2. Prevent falls.

3. Adults should be careful when playing with children and should not simply hold (lift) their hands.

4. If the above symptoms occur, parents can reposition the baby by themselves. If unsuccessful, they should go to the hospital for treatment.

5. Avoid repeated dislocation and prevent it from becoming a habit.

6. When putting on clothes, avoid pulling your hands in the pronated position and pull them at the same time as the sleeves.

After reading the sharing of the manual reduction method for radial head subluxation, I have some understanding of the incidence group of this disease. Yes, it is more common in children, mostly boys when they are climbing or when adults are leading children. This reminds everyone that when playing with children, you must always be careful not to over-stretch the children's hands, arms and other parts, and pay attention to the occurrence of joint bumps.