Evaluation of Monteggia Fracture Outcomes: Acute to Chronic

Abstract

Introduction:

Our study aims to characterize the results of Monteggia fractures treated in our practice and to determine factors associated with good or poor outcomes.

Methods:

A retrospective review of children aged 17 and under with acute, subacute, or chronic Monteggia fractures who were treated at our institution was performed. The primary outcomes were initial reduction and maintenance of joint reduction, while the secondary outcomes were elbow flexion/extension and forearm supination/pronation.

Results:

Seventeen patients with Monteggia fractures were identified. Two patients were excluded: 1 was lost to follow-up and 1 had congenital absence of the elbow flexors. Thus, our final cohort was 15 patients (acute n = 3, subacute n = 4, chronic group n = 8). Median final follow-up was 1.9 years (range = 34 days-8 years).

Conclusion:

Preoperative range of motion (ROM) was the most important factor in determining postoperative ROM in this cohort of patients with chronic Monteggia fractures. All patients who presented with excellent preoperative ROM, regardless of their timing category, had an excellent ROM outcome. Time from initial injury also played an important role. All patients in the acute and subacute categories had good or excellent postoperative ROM. Patients who were further from the initial injury were more likely to present with worse preoperative ROM and, in turn, had worse outcomes with postoperative ROM.