Adult Monteggia Lesion with Ipsilateral Distal Radius Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION: Monteggia lesion is a well-known injury that constitutes 0.7% of forearm fractures-dislocations. The combined presentation of Monteggia injury with ipsilateral distal radius fracture is an extremely rare lesion, especially in adults. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old woman fell from a chair, injuring her left forearm and wrist. On admission, plain roentgenograms of the left upper extremity revealed an anterior, Bado type-1 Monteggia fracture-dislocation associated with an ipsilateral distal radius fracture. The patient underwent surgical treatment of both injuries with a 3.5 limited contact dynamic compression plate for ulna and a 3.5 mm T-type buttress locking plate for distal radius. Intraoperative roentgenogram showed a spontaneous reduction of the ipsilateral dislocated radial head following osteosynthesis. An above, the elbow plaster cast was applied for 2 weeks because of the radial head dislocation. 10 weeks postoperatively the patient regained full range of motion of her wrist, elbow, and supination/pronation in her forearm. 4 months postoperatively she was returned to her previous daily activity after roentgenograms showed complete bone healing. CONCLUSION: In this rare case presentation with a review of the literature, we emphasize the mechanism of this lesion and we provide some risk factors for poor functional outcomes when treating such injuries. Both the review of the previous literature and our opinion support that rigid fixation of both fractures in such injuries is mandatory to achieve good functionality through early mobilization. Plain roentgenograms of the whole forearm including wrist and elbow are essential to avoid misdiagnosis.