Distal radioulnar joint disruption

Background

• Seen with intra-articular or distal radial shaft fractures or both bone fracture

Imaging

• PA
  • Narrowing and overlap of distal radioulnar joint
• Lateral
  • Volar or dorsal displacement of ulna (which is usually centered/overlapping the radius)
  • Requires a true lateral to avoid a false positive result

Differential Diagnosis

Distal radius fractures

• Colles' fracture
• Smith's fracture
• Barton's fracture
• Radial styloid fracture
• Distal radioulnar joint disruption

Distal radius fracture eponyms

Eponyms	Description
Barton's	Fracture-dislocation of radiocarpal joint (with intra-articular fracture involving the volar or dorsal lip)
Chauffer's	Fracture of radial styloid
Colles'	Dorsally displaced, extra-articular fracture
Die-punch	Depressed fracture of the lunate fossa (articular surface)
Smith's	Volar displaced, extra-articular fracture

Management

• Dorsal dislocation
  • Immobilize wrist in supination
• Volar dislocation
  • Immobilize wrist in pronation

See Also

• Distal radius fractures