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Longitudinal instability of the forearm

Longitudinale Instabilität des Unterarms

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Abstract

The Essex Lopresti lesion is a rare triad of injury to the radial head, interosseous membrane of the forearm and distal radio-ulnar joint, which results in longitudinal instability of the radius. If unrecognized this leads to chronic pain and disability which is difficult to salvage. Early recognition and appropriate treatment is therefore desirable to prevent long-term problems. The aim of this article is to review the pathoanatomy of longitudinal radius instability and use the existing literature and authors’ experience to provide recommendations for recognition and treatment of acute and chronic forearm instability, including description of the author’s technique for interosseous membrane reconstruction.

Zusammenfassung

Die Essex-Lopresti-Verletzung ist eine seltene Dreierkombination von Läsionen des Radiusköpfchens, der Membrana interossea antebrachii und der Articulatio radioulnaris distalis. Diese bedingen eine longitudinale Instabilität des Radius. Bleibt diese Instabilität unerkannt, führt sie zu chronischem Schmerz und körperlicher Beeinträchtigung, die schwer zu beheben sind. Eine frühzeitige Erkennung und angemessene Behandlung sind daher anzustreben, um dauerhaften Gesundheitsproblemen vorzubeugen. Dieser Beitrag will einen Überblick über die Pathoanatomie der longitudinalen Radiusinstabilität geben. Basierend auf der vorliegenden Literatur und den Erfahrungen der Autoren werden Empfehlungen zur Erkennung und Behandlung der akuten und chronischen Unterarminstabilität formuliert. Dabei wird auch die Technik beschrieben, die die Autoren bei der Rekonstruktion der Membrana interossea anwenden.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Preston Road, Brighton, UK

    J. Phadnis

  2. Wrightington Upper Limb Unit, Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, WN8 9EP, Wigan, Lancashire, UK

    A. C. Watts

Authors
  1. J. Phadnis
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  2. A. C. Watts
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Correspondence to A. C. Watts.

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J. Phadnis and A. C. Watts state that they have no competing interest.

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Phadnis, J., Watts, A.C. Longitudinal instability of the forearm. Orthopäde 45, 861–869 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-016-3329-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00132-016-3329-7

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