The Monteggia lesion in children. Fracture of the ulna and dislocation of the radial head.

We reviewed the cases of fifteen children who were treated for a Monteggia injury. Transverse and metaphyseal fractures of the ulna were stable after closed reduction, but oblique fractures of the shaft redisplaced and required intramedullary pinning. Five patients who were seen late had open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture. Four of these children had reconstruction or repair of the annular ligament, with excellent results. But in the child in whom the ligament was not repaired the radius subluxated.