Fractures and dislocations of the forearm

Fractures and fracture dislocations of the forearm are common injuries that are being seen more frequently today in our active population. These injuries can occur in any sport, by direct blows to the arm or by falls on the outstretched hand. Many of these injuries are dramatic in their presentation and easily diagnosed, but only careful physical examination and radiographic evaluation avoids the pitfalls in diagnosis associated with the Monteggia's, Galeazzi's, and Essex-Lopresti's fracture dislocations. Most of these injuries require anatomic reduction to preserve the delicate interaction between radius and ulna in allowing forearm rotation. Owing to the instability of these fractures, open reduction and internal fixation is often required. Attention to detail in treatment and rehabilitation will avoid the problems of loss of motion, malunion, and nonunion associated with these injuries in the past.