Distal Radioulnar Synostosis Following Greenstick Fracture of the Ulnar Diaphysis: A Case Report.

CASE: We discuss a 16-year-old adolescent boy presenting with a minimally displaced greenstick fracture of the distal third ulnar diaphysis sustained during a fall playing football. Initial treatment consisted of in situ casting followed by removable forearm splinting. The patient returned 3 months postinjury with complete forearm motion loss. Imaging demonstrated a post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis. Surgical management of the synostosis restored forearm motion without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of this atypical presentation of a radioulnar synostosis when evaluating stiffness in the post-treatment setting even for fractures that are minimally displaced and do not require reduction or surgery.