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Galeazzi and Essex Lopresti Injuries

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The Pediatric Upper Extremity

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Abstract

Injuries to the forearm can lead to fractures of either or both the radius and ulna as well as dissociation between the bones in the forearm. Galeazzi fractures occur when the current of injury in the forearm fractures the radius shaft and then proceeds through the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) to cause dislocation or subluxation of the joint. In children, this can be a true DRUJ dislocation or can also be a fracture-separation of the distal ulnar physis. Anatomic reduction of the fracture typically leads to DRUJ stability unless soft tissues are interposed in the joint or physis. The key to treatment of these complex injuries is an anatomic reduction and the creation of a stable joint whether by closed or open methods. Once fracture healing is identified, therapeutic exercises can be initiated and a gradual return to full activities can be expected. Essex-Lopresti injuries are seen in patients that have interruption of the interosseous membrane and dissociation of the radius and ulna. They have not been described in skeletally immature patients, but clinicians should be aware of the risks of proximal migration of the radius that can occur after radial head resection in these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cincinnati Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, 45229-3026, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Kevin J. Little

  2. Hand Surgery Specialists, Inc, 538 Oak Street, Suite 200, 45219, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Philip To & Reid Draeger

Authors
  1. Kevin J. Little
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  2. Philip To
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  3. Reid Draeger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin J. Little .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Joshua M. Abzug

  2. Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Scott H. Kozin

  3. Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Dan A. Zlotolow

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Little, K.J., To, P., Draeger, R. (2015). Galeazzi and Essex Lopresti Injuries. In: Abzug, J., Kozin, S., Zlotolow, D. (eds) The Pediatric Upper Extremity. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8515-5_51

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8515-5_51

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-8513-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-8515-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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