Stable relocation of the radial head without annular ligament reconstruction using the Ilizarov technique to treat neglected Monteggia fracture: two case reports

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A Monteggia facture dislocation is not an uncommon injury, and the diagnosis can often be missed. Long-term follow-up of untreated Monteggia fracture dislocations reveals development of premature arthritis, pain, instability, and loss of pronation and supination. Methods involving annular ligament reconstruction require post-operative immobilization and use of transcapitellar pinning for maintenance of reduction, and thus a delay in rehabilitation. The literature reports satisfactory results with methods that involve ulnar osteotomy and open reduction of the radial head without annular ligament reconstruction. We used the Ilizarov method in two cases with neglected Monteggia fracture dislocations to stably reduce the radial head without open reduction and annular ligament reconstruction.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report two cases of neglected Monteggia fracture dislocation, in two Kashmiri boys aged four and six years. Using ulnar osteotomy with distraction osteogenesis, we were able to relocate the radial head gradually and maintain the reduction without a requirement for open reduction and annular ligament reconstruction.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Distraction lengthening and hyperangulation in different planes by use of the Ilizarov technique effectively reduces the radial head without open reduction and annular ligament reconstruction.</p

Congenital hip dislocation and dysplasia in southern Chinese

In 1975 we carried out a survey in Hong Kong to locate Chinese children with congenital dislocation of the hip. Analysis of the available records between 1960 and 1975 gave an observed incidence which was at least 10 times less than found in Caucasians. The age and sex distribution, radiographic findings and the left-sided predominance were similar to Caucasians with congenital dislocation of the hip. However, unlike Caucasian children, the Chinese presented with dislocation and not dysplasia. The mothers of children with congenital dislocation of the hip were compared with a control group with normal children to assess their use of the 'Hong Kong' position, in which the children are carried on the back of their mother with their hips in a position of wide abduction. Since only half of the children in either group were carried in this manner, other factors must be responsible for the low incidence of congenital dislocation of the hip in southern Chinese.link_to_subscribed_fulltex