Immobilization in supination versus neutral following surgical treatment of Galeazzi fracture-dislocations in adults: case series.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to investigate whether immobilization in supination is necessary to prevent recurrent distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability in patients older than 18 years with a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation and a stable DRUJ following open reduction and internal fixation of the radius.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of 10 consecutive patients who were immobilized in either supination or a neutral position following surgical treatment of a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation in which the DRUJ was noted to be stable immediately after fixation of the radius. Group 1 consisted of 5 patients who were immobilized in supination for a period of 4 weeks, and group 2 consisted of 5 patients who were immobilized in neutral for 2 weeks, followed by functional bracing.

RESULTS

Patients were followed up for an average of 68 months (range, 26-124 mo) after surgery. No significant difference was noted between the 2 groups with respect to age, medical comorbidities (no noteworthy medical comorbidities in either group), or hand dominance. None of the patients in either group demonstrated DRUJ instability during the follow-up period or required any additional surgery. At the latest follow-up, patients in the 2 groups had comparable forearm motion.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study suggest that following open reduction and internal fixation of the radius in patients with Galeazzi fracture-dislocations and with stable DRUJs, immobilization in supination for 4 weeks does not have an advantage over immobilization in neutral for a shorter period.