Galeazzi Fracture
Recover strength, movement, and confidence after a Galeazzi fracture with personalised rehabilitation designed to support a safe return to everyday activities.
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What is Galeazzi Fracture?
A Galeazzi Fracture is a specific type of forearm injury involving:
A Fracture of the Radius: Usually affecting the shaft of the radius, commonly in the lower portion of the forearm.
Disruption of the Distal Radioulnar Joint (DRUJ): The joint between the radius and ulna near the wrist becomes unstable or dislocated.
The forearm contains two main bones:
Radius: Located on the thumb side of the forearm.
Ulna: Located on the little-finger side of the forearm.
These bones work together with joints at the elbow and wrist to allow movements such as:
Turning the Palm Up
Turning the Palm Down
Lifting
Carrying
Gripping
Using the Hand
In a Galeazzi fracture, the combination of a radial fracture and DRUJ injury can affect forearm rotation and wrist stability.
This injury is sometimes referred to as a fracture-dislocation because it involves both a broken bone and joint disruption.
Galeazzi fractures in adults are generally considered unstable injuries and often require orthopaedic treatment. Children may have different injury patterns and treatment considerations.
What Are The Symptoms Of Galeazzi Fracture?
Severe Forearm Pain: Pain usually develops immediately after the injury.
Swelling: The forearm and wrist may become swollen.
Tenderness: The affected area may be painful when touched.
Visible Deformity: The forearm or wrist may appear bent, swollen, or unusually shaped.
Difficulty Moving the Wrist: Wrist movement may be painful or restricted.
Difficulty Rotating the Forearm: Turning the palm upward or downward may be difficult.
Pain Near the Wrist: Pain may occur around the distal radioulnar joint.
Reduced Grip Strength: Holding or gripping objects may be difficult.
Bruising: Discolouration may develop around the injured area.
Joint Instability: The wrist may feel unstable due to injury of the DRUJ.
Difficulty Using the Hand: Daily tasks may become difficult due to pain and limited movement.
Numbness or Tingling: In some cases, swelling or associated nerve involvement may cause altered sensation.
Pain During Weight-Bearing: Putting pressure through the hand or arm may be painful.
A serious forearm injury should always be medically assessed because fractures, joint dislocations, nerve injuries, and circulation problems can occur together.
What Are The Causes Of Galeazzi Fracture?
A Galeazzi fracture usually occurs due to significant force applied to the forearm.
Fall onto an Outstretched Hand: A fall with force transmitted through the hand and forearm can cause this injury.
Road Traffic Accidents: High-energy trauma may result in fractures and joint injuries.
Sports Injuries: Contact sports, falls, or direct impacts can cause forearm fractures.
Direct Blow to the Forearm: A strong impact to the forearm may fracture the radius.
Twisting Injury: A combination of rotational force and trauma may contribute to injury of the bone and DRUJ.
Workplace Accidents: Falls or heavy impacts can cause significant forearm trauma.
High-Energy Trauma: Severe accidents may cause complex injuries involving the bone, joints, ligaments, nerves, or surrounding soft tissues.
The injury can occur in people of different ages, although the pattern and treatment may vary.
Diagnosis Of Galeazzi Fracture
Medical History: A doctor will ask how the injury occurred and about symptoms such as pain, swelling, deformity, numbness, and difficulty moving the arm.
Physical Examination: The forearm, wrist, and hand are examined for tenderness, swelling, deformity, and signs of joint instability.
Neurovascular Assessment: Sensation, movement, pulses, skin colour, and circulation are checked to identify possible nerve or blood vessel involvement.
X-Rays: X-rays of the forearm and wrist are used to identify the radial fracture and assess the alignment of the distal radioulnar joint.
Assessment of the DRUJ: The distal radioulnar joint is carefully evaluated for dislocation or instability.
CT Scan: A CT scan may be used when more detailed assessment of the fracture or joint alignment is needed.
MRI: MRI may be considered in selected cases to assess associated soft tissue or ligament injuries.
Post-Treatment Imaging: Follow-up X-rays may be used to monitor bone alignment and healing.
Accurate assessment is essential because missing DRUJ instability can lead to ongoing pain, reduced movement, and long-term wrist problems.
Treatment Of Galeazzi Fracture
Treatment depends on the patient’s age, fracture pattern, bone alignment, DRUJ stability, and associated injuries.
Immobilisation: A splint or cast may be used to protect the injured forearm and wrist.
Reduction: If the bones or joint are displaced, a doctor may need to realign them.
Surgical Fixation: Adults with Galeazzi fractures commonly require surgery to stabilise the fractured radius.
Internal Fixation: Plates and screws may be used to hold the radius in the correct position while it heals.
DRUJ Stabilisation: The distal radioulnar joint is assessed during treatment and may require reduction, temporary stabilisation, or additional management if it remains unstable.
Casting After Treatment: A cast or splint may be used for a period to protect the repaired bone and joint.
Pain Management: Appropriate medication may be recommended to manage pain.
Follow-Up Imaging: X-rays may be performed to monitor fracture healing and alignment.
Hand and Forearm Rehabilitation: Once medically cleared, rehabilitation helps restore movement, strength, grip, and function.
Treatment of Associated Injuries: Nerve, ligament, tendon, or other injuries may require additional care.
It is important to follow the orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions regarding movement and weight-bearing because the timing of rehabilitation depends on fracture healing and joint stability.
What Is The Physiotherapy Treatment Of Galeazzi Fracture
Physiotherapy begins according to the orthopaedic surgeon’s instructions, fracture healing, and stability of the distal radioulnar joint.
Detailed Functional Assessment: At Pure Physio, we assess pain, swelling, scar healing where applicable, wrist movement, forearm rotation, grip strength, elbow movement, shoulder function, and ability to perform daily activities.
Pain and Swelling Management: Appropriate rehabilitation strategies may help manage discomfort and swelling during recovery.
Finger Mobility Exercises: Gentle finger exercises may help maintain movement and reduce stiffness when permitted.
Wrist Range of Motion Exercises: Once medically cleared, gradual exercises help restore comfortable wrist movement.
Forearm Rotation Exercises: Carefully progressed exercises may help restore pronation and supination, which are the movements used to turn the palm down and up.
Elbow and Shoulder Exercises: Mobility and strengthening exercises may help prevent stiffness and weakness in nearby joints.
Gentle Strengthening: Progressive exercises may be introduced as healing allows to improve muscle strength.
Grip Strengthening: Appropriate exercises can help restore the ability to hold and carry objects.
Functional Hand Training: Therapy may focus on activities such as writing, dressing, typing, cooking, lifting light objects, and other everyday tasks.
Scar Management: Where surgery has been performed and the incision has healed, appropriate scar management may be included.
Progressive Weight-Bearing: Weight-bearing through the hand and arm is gradually reintroduced only when medically cleared.
Return-to-Work Rehabilitation: Exercises can be adapted to help restore the physical abilities needed for work.
Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation: Sport-specific rehabilitation may be introduced gradually when fracture healing, strength, movement, and medical clearance allow.
Home Exercise Programme: A personalised programme may be provided to support recovery between physiotherapy sessions.
Why Choose Pure Physio?
Post-Fracture Rehabilitation Focus: We understand the importance of restoring both bone-related function and movement around the wrist and forearm following appropriate medical treatment.
Individualised Recovery Plans: Your rehabilitation programme is tailored according to fracture healing, surgical treatment, DRUJ stability, symptoms, and personal goals.
Safe and Gradual Progression: Exercises are progressed according to your recovery stage and medical clearance.
Focus on Wrist and Forearm Function: We work to improve wrist mobility, forearm rotation, grip strength, and hand function.
Whole-Arm Rehabilitation: Treatment also considers the fingers, elbow, shoulder, and overall upper-limb movement.
Functional Recovery Approach: Rehabilitation focuses on meaningful activities such as gripping, lifting, writing, working, driving, and performing daily tasks.
Strength and Confidence Building: Progressive rehabilitation helps suitable patients regain strength and confidence in using the affected arm.
Return-to-Activity Support: We can help guide a gradual return to work, exercise, sports, and other activities when medically appropriate.
Integrated Care Approach: We work alongside orthopaedic recommendations and can adapt your rehabilitation programme according to follow-up findings, fracture healing, and the needs of your treating medical team.
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