Variant Salter-Harris Type III Distal Ulna "T" Fracture in the Setting of Galeazzi Equivalent Wrist Injury: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2022 Jul 8;12(3). doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.22.00184. eCollection 2022 Jul 1.

Abstract

Case: An 11-year-old Caucasian boy presented to the emergency department with a displaced, closed, Galeazzi equivalent (GE) left wrist fracture sustained after a fall. Closed reduction was deemed unsatisfactory because of persistent displacement of the distal ulna epiphysis. An open reduction of the distal ulna and percutaneous fracture pinning was performed. At 1 year, the patient reported return to his preinjury baseline. No evidence of subsequent pathologic growth was detected on follow-up imaging.

Conclusion: Open anatomic reduction of the distal ulna epiphysis and percutaneous fracture pinning may improve patient outcomes and limit progressive wrist deformity when treating GE wrist injuries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Fractures, Closed*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radius Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radius Fractures* / pathology
  • Radius Fractures* / surgery
  • Ulna / diagnostic imaging
  • Ulna / injuries
  • Ulna / surgery
  • Ulna Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ulna Fractures* / surgery
  • Wrist / pathology
  • Wrist Injuries* / diagnostic imaging
  • Wrist Injuries* / surgery