Distal radioulnar joint instability
| Distal radioulnar joint instability | |
|---|---|
| Other names: Distal radioulnar joint injury; distal radioulnar joint dislocation | |
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| The ulna near the wrist is shifted backwards from its normal position | |
 | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
| Symptoms | Pain inner side of the wrist, weakness, clicking[1] |
| Complications | Arthritis[2] |
| Causes | Fall onto the hand[1] |
| Risk factors | Inflammatory arthritis[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Wrist sprain[2] |
| Treatment | Realigning the bones, cast, surgery[3] |
| Frequency | Relatively common[4] |
Distal radioulnar joint instability, also known as DRUJ instability, results in pain near the wrist typically on the side near the pinky finger.[1][4] This is often worsened by turning the forearm or such movement may be limited.[1][4] There may also be weakness with lifting or a clicking at the wrist.[1] Complications may include arthritis.[2]
It may result after a fall onto the hand or twisting the wrist.[1][5] Often it occurs in association with a radius fracture or ulna fracture near the wrist.[3] Risk factors include inflammatory arthritis.[2] The underlying mechanism often involves disruption of the radioulnar ligaments.[6] Diagnosis may be supported by X-rays, CT scan, or MRI.[3][4]
Treatment of a new injury involves realigning the bones and placement in a cast for six weeks.[3] If the joint is unstable after being realigned, surgery maybe required.[3] For long-term cases, in those who are less active, conservative treatment may be reasonable.[6] Distal radioulnar joint instability is relatively common.[4] Disclocation of the DRUJ has been described since at least 1777.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Thomas, BP; Sreekanth, R (September 2012). "Distal radioulnar joint injuries". Indian journal of orthopaedics. 46 (5): 493–504. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.101031. PMC 3491781. PMID 23162140.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Arias, DG; Varacallo, MA (January 2025). "Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint". StatPearls. PMID 31613500.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Boyd, B; Adams, J (November 2021). "Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability". Hand clinics. 37 (4): 563–573. doi:10.1016/j.hcl.2021.06.011. PMID 34602136.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Feger, Joachim; Campos, Arlene; Foster, Tom (28 July 2021). "Distal radioulnar joint instability". Radiopaedia.org. Radiopaedia.org. doi:10.53347/rID-91680. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ Blankenbaker, Donna G.; Davis, Kirkland W. (8 June 2021). Diagnostic Imaging: Musculoskeletal Trauma,E-Book: Diagnostic Imaging: Musculoskeletal Trauma,E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 420. ISBN 978-0-323-79394-0.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mirghasemi, AR; Lee, DJ; Rahimi, N; Rashidinia, S; Elfar, JC (September 2015). "Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability". Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation. 6 (3): 225–9. doi:10.1177/2151458515584050. PMID 26328241.
- ↑ Stevens, Dan; Cadogan, Mike; Cadogan, Dan Stevens and Mike (2 May 2023). "Distal Radioulnar Injury". Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.