The literature of congenital dislocation of the radial head is reviewed. Eighteen new cases are reported and the incidence of anterior, posterior and lateral dislocation are given. Eleven syndromes or diseases have previously been noted in the literature to occur with radial head dislocations. Four apparently new associations are described in this series.
Pain was not of significance in our patients with dislocations and functional impairment has been related to limitation of supination or pronation. Progressive cubitus valgus was noted in one patient. There appears to be no common etiologic factor in congenital dislocations of the radial head.