Subluxation of the inferior radio-ulnar joint complicating fracture of the radial head.

Subluxation or dislocation of the distal radio-ulnar joint has been regarded as one of the rarer complications after fracture of the head of the radius. Brockman (1930) and Essex-Lopresti (1950) each reported two cases, and Essex-Lopresti recalled that Murray (1940) had found no obvious wrist changes in 459 such fractures, Burton (1942) none in fifty, and Gaston, Smith and Baab (1949) none in 113 cases. Discussing Brockman’s paper, Aitken (1930) recalled seeing a similar complication in one of his own patients who complained of weakness of the grip for a long time; Elmslie (1930) and Dunn (1930) differed as to whether the complication was important functionally or cosmetically. When Cherry (1953) advocated replacement of the fractured radial head with a prosthesis he asserted that this would prevent any tendency to upward displacement of the radius. There was considerable diversity of