[Monteggia lesions in children--a clinical trial]

The Monteggia lesion is a rare injury of the elbow in children. This lesion is defined as a shaft fracture of the ulna combined with a luxation of the radial head. The primary problem in this injury is the proper diagnosis because the misalignment of the radial head is often missed. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyse the results after Monteggia lesions in children.

Ten children between two and nine years of age (six boys and four girls) were clinically assessed using the Morrey score. They were treated in our department between December 1999 and October 2004.

The Morrey score after 54 months (min.: 26/max.: 84) had a median value of 100 points with 100 being the maximum (min.: 95/max.: 100). We found two complications, a combined lesion of the radial and ulnar nerves which completely recovered after six months. In one case a k-wire dislocated, which was removed earlier.

If the Monteggia lesion in children is correctly diagnosed and treated early enough, only good and very good results may be expected. After delayed diagnosis and treatment, the clinical results are not as good or even very poor.