The interosseous membrane is designed to shift compressive loads (as in doing a hand-stand) from the distal radius to the proximal ulna.

Rupture can lead to proximal migration of the radius and an apparent lengthening of the ulna at the wrist.

Often interosseous membrane tears are associated with adverse impacts on forearm rotation.

MRI-assisted diagnosis has been used for mid-substance tears of the interosseous membrane but is expensive and not widely available.

On the contrary, ultrasound has proven useful in diagnosing tears of the tibiofibular interosseous membrane of the leg, and this technique may also be applied to acute cases of membrane tears in the forearm due to its low cost and portability.