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  • Reconstructing a chronic, malunited Galeazzi fracture with distal radial ulnar joint instability: a simple, modified technique

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Case Reports: Novel treatment (new drug/interventions; established drug/procedure in new situation)
Reconstructing a chronic, malunited Galeazzi fracture with distal radial ulnar joint instability: a simple, modified technique
  1. Spencer R Anderson1,
  2. Hunter Charles Spitz2,
  3. Timothy Charles Frommeyer3 and
  4. Sunishka M Wimalawansa1
  1. 1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
  2. 2Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio, USA
  3. 3Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Fairborn, Ohio, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Spencer R Anderson; spencer.anderson{at}wright.edu

Abstract

A male in his 70s presented with a chronic malunited comminuted Galeazzi fracture dislocation, including angular malunion, radial shortening (1.3 cm ulnar-plus variance) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability secondary to chronic dislocation with mechanical rotation block. A modified, single-stage radius corrective osteotomy with bone grafting technique to overcorrect radius length was employed, restoring normal DRUJ motion and stability by engaging the secondary DRUJ stabilisers without triangular fibrocartilage complex repair. DRUJ stability was restored via radius lengthening, engaging the DRUJ’s secondary stabilisers, bypassing the need for complex ligamentous reconstruction. The patient returned to full activity. We recommend our simple yet effective approach to treat chronic, malunited Galeazzi fractures with DRUJ instability.

  • Trauma
  • Accidents, injuries
  • Orthopaedics
  • Orthopaedic and trauma surgery
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-250484

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors SRA: organisation, chart review, literature review, preliminary draft, final draft, submission. HCS: chart review, literature review, preliminary draft. TCF: chart review, literature review. SMW: preoperative assessment, operative procedure, postoperative care, final draft.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.