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Distal radioulnar joint dislocation in association with elbow injuries
A K Malik1, P Pettit, J Compson
1North East Thames Rotation, 3 Kirklee Road, Kelvinside, Glasgow G12 0RL, UK. akmalik100@hotmail.com
Injury
|January 25, 2005
Summary
Traumatic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocations, often missed in elbow injuries, require thorough examination of adjacent joints. This report details rare cases of elbow dislocation with radial neck fractures and DRUJ dislocations, highlighting the need for vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Traumatic distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation is a rare injury, often associated with radial head fractures (Essex-Lopresti injury).
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to subtle wrist symptoms and potential for missed findings on initial imaging.
Observation:
- Two cases of elbow dislocation with ipsilateral radial neck fractures and true DRUJ dislocations are presented.
- These specific combined injuries have not been previously documented in medical literature.
Findings:
- Distal radioulnar joint dislocations are frequently overlooked in elbow trauma evaluations.
- Inadequate joint examination and suboptimal radiographic views contribute to missed diagnoses.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the critical importance of examining the joints above and below the primary injury site in all elbow trauma cases.
- Highlights the necessity of considering DRUJ instability in patients presenting with elbow injuries, even when wrist symptoms are not obvious.