Bilateral Monteggia Fracture: A Rare Case Presentation

Giovanni Monteggia was the first to describe two cases of fractures of the proximal third of ulna with dislocation of the radial head. Monteggia fractures much more commonly are seen in children than in adults, but the bilateral entity is rare in both age groups. The following case is about the course of treatment for bilateral Monteggia fractures in a young male.

A 35-year-old male came to the emergency with alleged history of roadside accident. Radiography showed bilateral Monteggia fracture type III (by the Bados classification). Surgical intervention was required with locking compression plates put on the both sides. Closed reduction of the radial head was done on both sides. The patient was given pop slabs for bilateral forearms for 21 days. After removing the splints, the function of the elbow was determined by the Broberg Morrey score which was on the right side 45 and on the left side 47 and 100 on both sides after 5 months of follow-up.

Surgical intervention and early rehabilitation are the most important and ideal line of treatment for the return of the good function of both elbows. Diagnosis, surgical technique, rehabilitation program, and clinical results are reported. The bilateral nature of the presentation does not affect the outcome of the fractures.