What to do if the radial tuberosity is subluxed

  Radial tuberosity subluxation mostly occurs in children around 1-5 years old. Generally speaking, it can be treated by repositioning the radial head by manipulation. After treatment, parents must avoid some movements to prevent re-dislocation.  Radial tuberosity subluxation is caused by some improper force causing the radial tuberosity to move away from the articular fossa, and at the same time, the ligaments supporting and fixing the radius are squeezed into the articular fossa, resulting in the radial tuberosity not being able to return to its position. In this case, an experienced physician is needed to perform a manual repositioning. This technique usually takes only a short time to complete. The sign of successful resetting is that the elbow joint is no longer painful and can move normally.  It is relatively easy to treat radial tuberosity dislocation. However, since this disease is most common in children, it is usually due to the underdevelopment of the ligaments around the radial tuberosity, which can easily lead to repeated subluxations of the radial tuberosity. It is usually caused by inappropriate pulling of the child’s arm by the parents. In daily life, if the child resists the parent’s action of pulling the child’s arm, the parent needs to release the hand immediately and not continue to try to pull the child’s arm; do not try to pull the child’s hand to move the child’s position when walking up and down the slope or stairs, all these actions can lead to radial tuberosity subluxation.  Radial tuberosity subluxation is a very common injury, treatment is generally simple, parents should not reset on their own, inappropriate force can easily lead to fractures and other problems, must be operated by a professional doctor.