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Case Report
First reported capitellum fracture in a rare combination of Galeazzi fracture with elbow dislocation: A case report and literature review
1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
2 Shoulder Section, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Farsoe, Denmark
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Hasan Zalzala
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg,
Denmark
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Article ID: 100033Z14HZ2026
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Zalzala H, Alrubaie R, Jensen SL. First reported capitellum fracture in a rare combination of Galeazzi fracture with elbow dislocation: A case report and literature review. J Case Rep Images Orthop Rheum 2026;8(2):1–5.ABSTRACT
Introduction: Galeazzi fractures, defined as a radial shaft fracture with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) dislocation, are uncommon injuries in adults. Their combination with ipsilateral elbow dislocation is rare, with only a limited number of cases reported. We present the first documented case of a Galeazzi fracture with elbow dislocation combined with a capitellum fracture, alongside additional associated injuries.
Case Report: A 35-year-old male sustained a high energy trauma following a fell from the second floor (approximately 8 meters). Clinical examination revealed pain and deformity of the left elbow and wrist without neurovascular compromise. Imaging demonstrated a Galeazzi fracture, elbow dislocation, scaphoid fracture, and, following reduction, a capitellum fracture with an associated radial head fracture. Associated injuries included a T7 vertebral fracture and a grade II splenic laceration. The patient remained hemodynamically stable; therefore there was no indication for fluid or blood resuscitation. Initial management consisted of closed reduction of the elbow dislocation, followed by staged surgical intervention. The radial fracture was treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stabilization. A subsequent procedure addressed fixation of the scaphoid and capitellum fractures, along with repair of the lateral collateral ligament. At one-year follow-up, the patient demonstrated full elbow range of motion (ROM) without functional impairment. A residual limitation in forearm supination persisted and necessitation subsequent removal of the radial plate after one year.
Conclusion: This case describes a previously unreported combination of capitellum fracture, Galeazzi fracture, and elbow dislocation. Such injury patterns are typically associated with high-energy mechanisms, and awareness of concomitant injuries (vertebral fracture and spleen laceration in our case) is essential to avoid missed diagnoses. Despite the inherent complexity, staged surgical management can yield satisfactory functional outcomes.
Keywords: Capitellum fracture, Elbow dislocation, Galeazzi fracture
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Acknowledgments
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure
Artificial intelligence language models (Claude and ChatGPT) were used in this manuscript to assist with grammar checking, spelling correction, and text formatting to improve clarity and presentation. However, all clinical data, patient information, case observations, medical analysis, and scientific content are original work of the authors. The AI tools were not used for clinical decision-making, data interpretation, or generation of medical content.
Hasan Zalzala - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Reem Alrubaie - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Steen Lund Jensen - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2026 Hasan Zalzala et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
