[Diagnosis and treatment of Essex-Lopresti injury: report of five cases].

Objective: To explore the pathogenetic mechanism, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of Essex-Lopresti injury.

Methods: The clinical data of 5 patients with Essex-Lopresti injury that were treated by reconstruction of the length of radius, reduction and stabilization of the distal radio-ulnar joint and 3 of which were followed up were analyzed.

Results: In all the five patients there were no pain in elbow or wrist, instability in elbow joints, and limitation in the territory of the elbow joints. The patients had an average elbow score of 86.8 points (75.5 to 95.5 points), one with excellent result; 4 with good result, and one with fair result, according to the Morry's elbow joint scoring system. There was a little limitation for the wrist joints. The injuries did not affect their ordinary life. Only one of the 5 patients with open injury felt being unable to do as much as he would like to, and the others were capable to go back to work as usual. The average wrist score was 87 points (80 to 90 points), 3 with excellent result, and 2 with good result, according to the Green and O'Brien's wrist clinical scoring system.

Conclusion: Early and accurate diagnosis is critical in order to obtain a satisfactory result in Essex-Lopresti injury. The primary goal is to reestablish the normal length of radius, relocation and stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint.