Reconstruction of Essex-Lopresti Injury of the Forearm: Technical Note

Longitudinal instability of the forearm resulting from an Essex-Lopresti injury is a surgical challenge, and no technique has yet met universal success. A new technique is presented here consisting of reconstruction of the radial head, leveling of the distal radioulnar joint, reconstruction of the central band of the interosseous membrane by using a pronator teres rerouting technique, and finally repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. It is hoped that by addressing all of the contributing longitudinal stabilizing structures, the longitudinal instability of the forearm will be controlled. The technique is challenging and requires much surgical experience.