[Essex-Lopresti injury combined with forearm fracture]

The Essex-Lopresti injury is uncommon and often overlooked. A case is presented in which a 22-year old male sustained an injury that was a combination of an Essex-Lopresti injury and a fracture of the forearm. The primary treatment was osteosynthesis of the forearm. Ten weeks after injury the fractured radial head was removed because of pain and poor function of the elbow. The full extent of the injury was not recognized until sixteen weeks after injury. Final treatment consisted of excision of the ulnar head. The final results when seen at eight years follow-up were good.