The serious full-length forearm injury - a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Among upper limb injuries, carpal bone fractures and dislocation, Essex-Lopresti injury, and the terrible triad injury of the elbow are serious and relatively rare injuries. These injuries require surgical intervention. The surgical method is difficult, and the treatment effect is poor. These injuries have not been described in the same limb in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old male patient fell from a height in our institution and sustained multiple injuries, including carpal bone fracture-dislocation, Essex-Lopresti injury, and the terrible triad injury of the elbow of his right upper limb. After 2 surgeries and rehabilitation, he returned to work. We reviewed available reviews and related literature on serious upper-limb damage. CONCLUSIONS: Full-length forearm injury is very rarely encountered, and the management of such fractures is difficult. Radial head replacement with a metal prosthesis, reconstructed the IOM with Tightrope, and fixed the DRUJ with a K-wire pin is appropriate treatment.