Suture button reconstruction of the central band of the interosseous membrane in Essex-Lopresti lesions: a comparative biomechanical investigation

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume European volume, 2017-05, Vol.42 (4), p.370-376
• Main Authors: Hackl, M., Andermahr, J., Staat, M., Bremer, I., Borggrefe, J., Prescher, A., Müller, L. P., Wegmann, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Cadaver; Female; Forearm; Humans; Internal Fixators; Joint Dislocations - complications; Joint Instability - etiology; Joint Instability - physiopathology; Joint Instability - surgery; Male; Radius Fractures - complications; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Sutures; Weight-Bearing - physiology; Wrist Injuries - complications
• ISSN: 1753-1934; 2043-6289
• DOI: 10.1177/1753193416665943

Surgical reconstruction of the interosseous membrane may restore longitudinal forearm stability in Essex-Lopresti lesions. This study aimed to compare the longitudinal stability of the intact forearm with a single-bundle and a double-bundle reconstruction of the central band of the interosseous membrane using digital image correlation with a three-dimensional camera system. Single and cyclic axial loading of eight fresh-frozen forearm specimens was carried out in the intact state, after creation of an Essex-Lopresti lesion, after a single-bundle and after a double-bundle reconstruction of the central band using a TightRope® (Arthrex GmbH, Munich, Germany) construct. Instability significantly increased after creation of an Essex-Lopresti lesion. The stability of intact specimens was similar to both reconstruction techniques. The results of this study suggest that TightRope® reconstruction of the central band restores longitudinal forearm stability. However, the single-bundle technique may be less reliable than double-bundle reconstruction. Level of evidence: Basic Science Study