Monteggia described an injury of the forearm in 1814 that involved fracture of the ulna and dislocation of the radius. Several types and "equivalents" have subsequently been described.
Types: 4
Equivalents: 7 for Type 1, 1 for Type 2
Parameters:
(1) fracture of the ulna
(2) dislocation of the radius
(3) fracture of the radius
(4) other injury
|
Fracture of the Ulna |
Dislocation of the Radial Head |
Fracture of the Radius |
Type |
|
diaphysis any level, with anterior angulation |
anterior |
no |
1 |
|
diaphysis any level, with posterior angulation |
posterior or postero-lateral |
no |
2 |
|
metaphysis |
lateral or anterolateral |
no |
3 |
|
proximal third (same level as radius) |
anterior |
proximal third |
4 |
|
Fracture of the Ulna |
Dislocation of Radial Head |
Fracture of the Radius |
Other Injury |
Equivalent |
|
|
anterior |
|
|
1 |
|
diaphysis |
|
neck |
|
1 |
|
|
|
neck |
|
1 |
|
distal to radial fracture |
|
proximal third |
|
1 |
|
present |
anterior |
|
fracture of the olecranon |
1 |
|
present |
|
present |
posterior dislocation of elbow |
1 |
|
present |
|
absent |
posterior dislocation of elbow |
1 |
|
|
present |
epiphyseal |
|
2 |
where:
• The first Type 1 equivalent is called the "pulled elbow syndrome" in a small child.
• There are no equivalents for Type 3 or Type 4 fractures.
Lesions that may be found with a Monteggia fracture:
(1) radio-ulnar dislocation
(2) slipped epiphysis (in a child)
(3) fracture of the distal radius
(4) Galeazzi fracture (see above)
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Surgery, general
