Traumatic volar dislocation of the distal ulna with a fracture of the ulnar styloid.
Isolated volar dislocation of the distal ulna without forearm fracture is very rare; however, this injury is incorrectly diagnosed in approximately 50% of cases. This injury can lead to a significant functional disability if left untreated. This report presents a case of isolated volar dislocation of the distal ulna with an ulnar styloid fracture. The dislocation was subsequently reduced, the styloid was surgically repaired, and the patient was satisfied at the last follow-up. The importance of a proper clinical examination and an accurate radiographic position of the wrist are stressed. Furthermore, clinical evaluation of the distal radioular joint after reduction is important in achieving good results. There are various strategies for the treatment of distal radioulnar joint after reduction, including conservative treatment or surgical treatment. We believe that surgical exploration could have been carried out at an earlier stage had such a lesion been suspected.   Additional case reports of other instances of successful treatment are needed to educate orthopaedic surgeons and emergency medical technicians on the nature of this type of injury.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan. epc9719@yahoo.co.jp
Motoki
M
Sonohata
Hiroko
H
Mine
Toshiyuki
T
Tsuruta
Masaaki
M
Mawatari
D000328:Adult; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*