Case Report of an Essex-Lopresti Injury with Both Bone Forearm Fracture

Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) is one of the rare injuries of the elbow area, which includes fracture of radius head, disruption in the interosseous membrane of the forearm (IOM), and distal radio-ulnar joint dislocation. This happens as a result of transverse pressure on the elbow and forearm when falling down or when high energy is applied.

In this study, we introduced a 40-year-old patient who suffered both bone forearm fracture in addition to the above injuries. First, the patient underwent both bone forearm ORIF surgery, and then fixation of radius head and distal radio-ulnar joint reduction and fixation.

After six months, the patient has 20 degrees of motion limitation only in the pronation state, and the joint’s motion range in other joints is complete.

In general, the Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) is one of the rare hand injuries that are difficult to diagnose with simple radiographs and requires great care.