Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability and Galeazzi Fractures

Abstract The Galeazzi fracture-dislocation is a fracture of the distal one-third of the radial shaft with an associated distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation. This injury was described first by Astley Cooper in 1826 and later named after Riccardo Galeazzi who published his series of cases in 1934. The Galeazzi fracture has been given the name the “fracture of necessity,” referring to its need for anatomic reduction and rigid internal fixation for optimal results. Galeazzi fracture-dislocations require a high index of suspicion and can frequently go underdiagnosed.