Case Report of Distal Radioulnar Joint and Posterior Elbow Dislocation

Abstract

The distal radioulnar joint plays a critical role in pronation and supination of the forearm and can be injured with traumatic axial loading of the wrist. This is a case report of a 36-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with left upper extremity pain after falling onto an outstretched arm. The physical exam showed swelling and decreased range of motion of the elbow and wrist due to pain. Radiographs demonstrated left posterolateral elbow dislocation and left dorsal distal radioulnar joint dislocation. The patient underwent a successful closed reduction and splinting of both the left elbow and left distal radioulnar joint with good outcomes on follow up a week later. Since elbow dislocations are usually easily recognized and commonly treated in the emergency department, this case report focuses on the rarer finding of associated distal radioulnar joint dislocation because these injuries are often underdiagnosed or missed on initial assessment.

Topics: Distal radioulnar joint dislocation, DRUJ, DRUJ dislocation, elbow dislocation, orthopedics, ortho, upper extremity, wrist injury, elbow injury, closed reduction.