Paediatric forearm fracture with a twist: a proximal radioulnar translocation combined with radial head fracture.

A 10-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with proximal radioulnar translocation and radial head fracture, after fall onto an outstretched hand. Open reduction was used to reduce and stabilise the elbow joint after which the radial head was fixated by Kirschner wires. Three months after surgery, full range of motion was regained and union of the radial head was achieved. Proximal radioulnar translocation is a rare injury which is often missed on initial radiographs. Persistent restriction of forearm rotation with seemingly normal elbow configuration must trigger to take a closer look at the relationship between the ulna, radius and distal humerus. We show that early diagnosis and treatment of a proximal radioulnar translocation associated with a radial head fracture results in an excellent functional outcome.