If there is smoke, there must be fire - Isolated distal, non-displaced, intraarticular ulna fracture: A case report

Falling on the outstretched arm is a frequent trauma. The consequences can be isolated fractures of the distal radius, combined fractures of the distal radius and distal ulna - whereas the isolated fracture of the distal ulna is an uncommon trauma.

We report on a 20- year- old male who presented at the emergency department after a motorcycle accident, suffering pain at his left forearm and left wrist. After an unremarkable x-ray in two planes, a CT- scan of the left wrist was performed and detected an isolated distal ulna fracture. The patient was treated with a forearm cast which led to a satisfying long term outcome.

Based on the presented case the anatomical peculiarities of the distal radioulnar joint and the different trauma mechanisms as well as the resulting lesions, the diagnostic modalities and the treatment options are discussed.

We recommend performing an additional CT scan of the wrist in case of credible complaints after trauma to avoid baulking this very rare type of fracture.