Evaluation and Treatment of the Elbow and Forearm Injuries in the Emergency Department

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.

The Emergent Evaluation and Treatment of Elbow and Forearm Injuries

This article provides an updated review of the emergent evalution and treatment of elbow and forearm injuries in the emergency department. Clinically necessary imaging is discussed. Common and uncommon injuries of the elbow and forearm are reviewed with an emphasis on early recognition, efficient management, and avoidance of complications. The astute emergency physician will rely on a focused history and precise examination, applied anatomic knowledge, and strong radiographic interpretative skills to avoid missed injuries and complications.