DISTAL RADIOULNAR JOINT INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL RADIUS

The most common cause of residual wrist disability after fractures of the distal radius is the distal radioulnar joint, The 3 basic conditio ns that produce radioulnar pain and limitation of forearm rotation are instability, joint incongruency, and ulnocarpal abutment, The last 2 entities initiate irreversible cartilage damage that eventually leads to degenerative joint disease, Early recognition and management in the acute stage aim at the anatomic reconstruction of the distal radiouln ar joint including bone, joint surfaces, and ligaments in an effort to reduce the incidence of painful sequelae and functional deficit, This article provides a description and the treatment options of the dista l radioulnar joint lesions that occur in association with fractures of the distal radius, and the results obtained with open and arthroscopi c techniques, Both acute and chronic disorders are analyzed, and a pro gnostic and treatment oriented classification is presented, Furthermor e, the pathoanatomy and management of chronic distal radioulnar joint derangement after fracture of the distal radius are reviewed briefly.