Volar dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint

Emergency physicians occasionally encounter dislocations of the distal radioulnar joint when these are associated with fractures of the forearm, such as the Galeazzi fracture. Isolated dislocations of the distal radioulnar joint without fracture are rare and are described in terms of the position of the ulna in relation to the radiocarpal joint. Radiographs may be difficult to interpret if a true lateral view is not obtained. This injury may be easily missed in the emergency department because of its infrequent occurrence, its relatively benign appearance, and difficulty in interpretation of radiographs.