Home > Cases > Main Index > Case 74 | Skeletal Index  

SRS-X The SRS Educational Resource

Case 74

Monteggia fracture dislocation of the elbow

An adult male with a painful stiff arm following trauma

If you can not identify the abnormalities, look at the lateral view on the next page.

The lateral view demonstrates the importance of two views at right angles when assessing fractures as the abnormalities are much more obvious on this view.

Findings

There is a fracture of the shaft of the ulna. The radial head is dislocated anteriorly. This is known as the Monteggia fracture dislocation.

Diagnosis

Monteggia fracture dislocation of the elbow

Discussion

Views of the entire forearm and elbow should be obtained to exclude this injury. The forearm contains a bony ring of the ulna and radius fixed at each end by the radioulnar joints. Just as one can not break a Polo mint in only one place (a Polo mint is a round mint with a hole in it, for those who don't know...), it is difficult to do so in the forearm, hence the associated radial head injury. A nightstick fracture of the ulna due to a direct blow may be an isolated break, however.

Main Index  |   Previous Case

Skeletal Index  |   Previous Case

Main Index as Unknowns

Skeletal Index as Unknowns