Isolated fractures of the radius and ulna

• They arise through the action of direct violence

Clinical picture and diagnosis

• pain, edema , hematoma, change of configuration

• necessary x-rays in two projections showing adjacent joints to rule out simultaneous dislocation of the head of the adjacent bone ( Monteggio fracture , Galeazzi fracture)

• in isolated fractures of one bone, the other bone often acts as a spacer and prevents the fragments from fitting correctly - the result is a post- joint - self - compression splints (DCP) are the most advantageous

Treatment

conservative

• non-dislocated fractures of the ulna , non-dislocated fractures of the proximal 2/3 of the radius

• cast fixation for 8 weeks from MTC heads to arm, elbow flexion

surgery

• Dislocated fractures of the ulna, Dislocated fractures of the proximal 2/3 of the radius, Dislocated and non-dislocated fractures of the distal 1/3 of the radius (muscle strain)

• splint, secured nail

Links

Related Articles

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

Source

• PASTOR, Jan. Langenbeck's medical web page [online]. [cit. 2010]. <http://langenbeck.webs.com>.