A neurologic complication following Monteggia fracture

Posterior interosseous nerve palsy can occur following a Monteggia fracture by a variety of mechanisms. In this case report of a 35-year-old man the nerve became wrapped around an anterolaterally dislocated radial head in the course of an unsuccessful attempt as closed reduction. Cadaveric dissections demonstrated how reduction of the radial head can be blocked by an enwrapped nerve. Obviously open reduction of the fracture with exploration of the nerve is the treatment of choice.