Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability and Associated Injuries: A Literature Review

Abstract

The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) allows supination and pronation of the distal forearm and wrist, an integral motion in everyday human activity. DRUJ injury and chronic instability can be a significant source of morbidity in patients' lives. Although often linked with distal radius fractures, DRUJ injury may occur in a variety of other upper extremity injuries, as well as an isolated pathology. Diagnosis of this injury requires the clinician to have a high index of suspicion and low threshold for clinical testing and further imaging of the DRUJ. The purpose of this article is to provide a review on DRUJ anatomy and biomechanics, to discuss common diagnostic and treatment modalities, and to identify common injuries associated with DRUJ instability.