Surgery for Radioulnar Joint Instability

We were interested in determining whether early surgical treatment of DRUJ instability performed at the same time as operative treatment of acute distal radius fractures provides improved patient outcomes.  Two studies were found that investigated the functional outcome of DRUJ injuries. ^{74, 75} The instabilities were identified at the conclusion of treatment.  Therefore no instabilities were treated at the time of surgery.  Although the patients with instability had poorer outcomes, neither study addressed the question of whether early operative intervention is indicated.