Fractures of Shaft of Radius and Ulna – Mechanism of Injury

Fractures of forearm bones are very common in young active adults. Forearm has got two bones radius and ulna.  They articulate at elbow and wrist with each other and and other bones to form part of  elbow and wrist  joints. On most of occasions, both bone fracture together. In case of single bone fractures, the proximal or distal joint might be injured.

It is uncommon for  a single bone to be injured without any associated injury to other bone or either joint.

Fractures of radius and ulna can be caused by various mechanisms. The most common causative factor is vehicular trauma  especially automobile and motorbike injuries. Most of these vehicular accidents result in some type of direct blow to the forearm.

Direct trauma by n object like stick etc also can cause the fracture of these bones.

Gunshot wounds can cause fracture of both bones of the forearm. Such injuries are commonly associated with nerve or soft tissue deficits and frequently have significant bone loss.

Another cause is pathological fracturee and in such cases a previous underlying pathology is responsible for the injury. This injury can result from trivial trauma, a force which normally would not cause break in the normal bone.

Fractures of shaft of ulna and radius can occur as a result from fall too as in fall from heights.

Related posts:

1. Fractures of Shaft Radius and Ulna – Clinical Presentation, Radiography and Diagnosis
2. Treatment of Fractures of Radius and Ulna
3. Isolated Fractures Of Radius Bone and Galleazi Fracture
4. Monteggia Fracture – Fracture Of Shaft of Ulna With Radial Head Instability
5. Fracture of Distal Fourth of Radius and Ulna In 6 years Old Child