Treatment of Galeazzi fracture-dislocations

Among 33 patients with a Galeazzi-type fracture-dislocation of the forearm, there were two children and 26 adults with a classic Galeazzi injury, and five patients with a Galeazzi-equivalent lesion. The worst results were obtained in type-I lesions. Closed reduction was primarily successful in children. The results of surgical treatment were much better in adults. It is advisable to treat this complex injury by anatomic reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture. Immobilization in a fully supinated position is recommended to reduce the dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. Additional temporary radioulnar fixation with Kirschner wires is also necessary in cases of severe derangement of the distal radioulnar joint.