Galeazzi fracture

• Fracture of the radius (distal 1/3) with dislocation of the head of the ulna and rupture of the ligaments of the distal radioulnar connection.

Galeazzi fracture before osteosynthesis

Plate osteosynthesis with six screws and two Kirschner wires

Diagnostics

• X- ray AP (sometimes widening of the distal radio-ulnar joint, possibly breaking off the styloid process of the ulnae) and LAT ( displacement of the distal ulna dorsally ).

Therapy

Surgery

• Osteosynthesis of the radius.
• Dislocation of the ulna usually resolves spontaneously (if not – transfixation with a wire or screw),
• After surgery, plaster fixation for 6 weeks to heal the ligaments of the distal radio-ulnar joint.

Links

Related articles

• Fractures of the forearm
  • Compound fractures of the radius and ulna
  • Isolated fractures of the radius and ulna
  • Fractures of the proximal ulna
  • Monteggio fracture
  • Colles fracture
  • Smith's fracture
• Radius
• Ulna

Sources

• PASTOR,. Langenbeck's medical web page [online]. [cit. 31.03.2010]. <https://langenbeck.webs.com/>.