Essex-Lopresti Fracture-Dislocation With Transolecranon Fracture-Dislocation: A Case Report

An Essex-Lopresti fracture-dislocation with transolecranon fracture-dislocation is a rare injury. This report describes surgical repair, including open reduction and internal fixation and repair of the interosseous membrane. A 66-year-old man fell from a height while rock climbing. He was diagnosed with a fracture-dislocation of his left elbow. He initially underwent an external fixation of the elbow joint. Open reduction and internal fixation of the olecranon and artificial radial head replacement were performed two weeks after the injury. Four months after the injury, the third surgery involved an ulnar shortening osteotomy, and an allogeneic Achilles tendon graft for interosseous membrane injury was performed. His Quick DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) score was 2.27 points two years after the injury. This rare case of complicated upper arm injury was treated with multiple surgeries. We consider that the allogeneic Achilles tendon is one option as a material for interosseous membrane reconstruction.