Forearm fracture: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:17, 22 March 2023

This page is for adult patients. For pediatric patients, see: forearm fracture (peds)

Background

Galeazzi fracture-dislocation

Left arm, anterior view of radius and ulna.

Left arm, posterior view of radius and ulna.

Solitary fractures of the forearm are uncommon
- Fractures usually occur at two or more sites or also involve a ligamentous injury

Forearm Fracture Types

Clinical Features

Evaluation

Distal radius x-ray

Management & Disposition

Forearm Fracture Management Table

Fracture	Splint	Disposition
Radial head fracture	Nondisplaced Sling and Swathe Splint Displaced Long Arm Posterior Splint or emerg. ORIF
Monteggia fracture-dislocation (ulnar shaft w/prox radioulnar disloc)		Emergent ortho for ORIF
Galeazzi fracture (distal radius w/distal ulnar disloc)		Emerg. ortho for ORIF
Elbow dislocation	Long arm posterior splint after reduction	If associated fracture emergent ortho consult
Forearm fracture	Sugar Tong Splint
Colle's fracture (distal radius with dist dorsal angulation)	Sugar Tong Splint
Smith fracture (reverse colles with volar angulation)	Sugar Tong Splint

References

Authors:

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Adult top}} [[forearm fracture (peds)]]
 ==Background==
+[[File:Galeazzi fx.jpeg|thumb|[[Galeazzi fracture-dislocation]]]]
+{{Forearm anatomy}}
 *Solitary fractures of the forearm are uncommon
 **Fractures usually occur at two or more sites or also involve a ligamentous injury
-==[[Radia Ulna Fracture]]==
+{{Forarm fracture DDX}}
-==[[Isolated Radius Fracture (Proximal)]]==
+==Clinical Features==
-===Background===
-*Rare
-*When occur, most are displaced
-*Compartment syndrome is rare
-===Management===
+==Evaluation==
-*Nondisplaced: cast immobilization
+*[[Distal radius x-ray]]
-*Displaced: Internal fixation
-==[[Isolated Ulna (Nightstick)]]==
+==Management & Disposition==
-===Background===
+{{Forearm Fracture Management Table}}
-*Most often due to direct trauma
-===Management===
-*Stable: short arm cast
-*Unstable: ORIF
-**>50% displacement
-**>10% angulation
-**Involvement of proximal 1/3
-==[[Monteggia Fracture-Dislocation]]==
-===Background===
-*Ulna fx (proximal third) + radial head dislocation
-*Easy to overlook the radial head dislocation (will result in worse outcome)
-===Clinical Features===
-*Pain/swelling at elbow
-*Radial head may be palpable in an anterolatera or posterolateral location
-===Management===
-*Consult ortho in the ED; likely requires ORIF
-==[[Galeazzi Fracture-Dislocation]]==
-===Background===
-*Radius fx (distal third) + distal radioulnar dislocation
-*Caused by FOOSH or direct blow
-===Clinical Features===
-*Localized tenderness/swelling over distal radius/wrist
-===Diagnosis===
-*PA: May only show slightly increased distal radioulnar joint space
-*Lateral: Ulna is displaced dorsally
-===Management===
-*Consult ortho in the ED; likely requires ORIF
 ==See Also==
-[[Fracture (Main)]]
+*[[Fracture (Main)]]
+*[[Forearm fracture (peds)]]
-==Source==
+*[[Splinting]]
-*Tintinalli
-[[Category:Ortho]]
+==References==
+<references/>
+[[Category:Orthopedics]]