[Error diagnosis and inappropriate treatment for Essex-Lopresti injury in 2 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the reason of error diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of radius head fractures complicating distal radioulnar joint dislocation (Essex-Lopresti injury) and to seek for the reasonable treatment.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2009, 2 male patients of radius head fractures complicating distal radioulnar joint dislocation were treated, the age was 56 and 66 years old respectively. The symptom included elbow swelling and limitation of forearm rotation. X-ray showed comminuted fractures of capitulum radius. There were 1 case of Mason type III and 1 cases of type IV. Two patients were treated by resection of capitulum radius and plaster fixation after operation.

RESULTS

Both of the 2 cases had limited rotation of forearm and the distal radioulnar joint pain. The X-ray showed that the distal radioulnar joint was separated obviously and the proximal radius was translocated.

CONCLUSION

The early diagnosis is very important for the Essex-Lopresti injury. Rebuilding the longth of the radius and reduction fixating the distal radioulnar joint after fixated is an effective treatment while the interosseous membranes can't be repaired and rebuilded.