The Essex-Lopresti injury of the forearm is difficult to diagnose. A missed diagnosis can lead to persistent pain and instability of the wrist. We report a 33-year-old man with a pre-existing cubital varus deformity who sustained an atypical Essex-Lopresti injury after a fall on his elbow. Accurate diagnosis requires understanding of force transmission and anatomy of the radius and ulna, as well as the proximal and distal radioulnar joints as a unit.
AuyeungJBroomeG. The Essex-Lopresti lesion: A variant with a bony distal radioulnar joint injury. J Hand Surg Br2006;31:206–7.
2.
DoddsSDYehPCSladeJF3rd. Essex-Lopresti injuries. Hand Clin2008;24:125–37.
3.
EglsederWAHayM. Combined Essex-Lopresti and radial shaft fractures: Case report. J Trauma1993;34:310–2.
4.
Essex-LoprestiP. Fractures of the radial head with distal radio-ulnar dislocation; report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Br1951;33:244–7.
5.
HargadonEJPorterML. The Essex-Lopresti injury: A variation. J Hand Surg Br1988;13:450–2.
6.
MartinBDJohansenJAEdwardsSG. Complications related to simple dislocations of the elbow. Hand Clin2008;24:9–25.
7.
NicolaidisSCHildrethDHLichtmanDM. Acute injuries of the distal radioulnar joint. Hand Clin2000;16:449–59.
8.
HelmerhorstGTRingD. Subtle Essex-Lopresti lesions: Report of 2 cases. J Hand Surg Am2009;34:436–8.
9.
LeungYFIpSPIpWYKamWLWaiYL. The crisscross injury mechanism in forearm injuries. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg2005;125:298–303.
10.
VerettasDADrososGIXarchasKCChatzipapasCNStaikosC. Simultaneous dislocation of the radial head and distal radio-ulnar joint. A case report. Int J Med Sci2008;5:292–4.
11.
JungbluthPFrangenTMArensSMuhrGKalickeT. The undiagnosed Essex-Lopresti injury. J Bone Joint Surg Br2006;88:1629–33.
12.
SpicerDDHargreavesDEckersleyR. Simultaneous dislocations of the radiocapitellar and distal radioulnar joints. J Orthop Trauma2002;16:136–8.
13.
MalikAKPettitPCompsonJ. Distal radioulnar joint dislocation in association with elbow injuries. Injury2005;36:324–9.
