Snapping Elbow from an Annular Ligament. Report of a case

Abstract

A ten year old girl had a pain of sudden onset in both elbows in November 1977. On examination, there was diffuse tenderness over the common extensor muscles of the joint level. Snapping was noticed on flexion and extension movements. Conservative treatment failed to relieve the symptomes. Then, the right elbow was operated because of it's severity. Inspection showed it as follows. On extending, the annular ligament was seen to slip over the anterior margin of the radial head with a snap so as to lie the radiohumeral joint. Sequent flexion of the elbow resulted in a snap as the annular ligament slipped into the right position. The annular ligament was moved distaly and tightened as not to slip out from the radial head.