Fracture of the proximal ulna with anterior dislocation of the radial head is known as which fracture?

• A. Colles Fracture
• B. Smith Fracture
• C. Monteggia Fracture
• D. Galeazzi Fracture

Answer: (C)

This is a Monteggia fracture: a fracture of the proximal third of the ulna with dislocation of the radial head at the radiocapitellar joint, typically anteriorly. The injury occurs when a force—often a fall on an outstretched hand—causes a break in the ulna and drives the radial head out of its normal position in front of the capitellum. Clinically, you may see forearm deformity and elbow pain, with limited forearm rotation due to the dislocated radial head. X-rays of the forearm and elbow will show the ulna fracture plus the radial head displaced relative to the capitellum. Treatment focuses on realigning the radiocapitellar joint and stabilizing the forearm; many cases are addressed with prompt closed reduction of the radial head and immobilization, but unstable fractures or missed dislocations may require surgical fixation of the ulna to achieve accurate and lasting reduction. Other injuries listed involve the distal forearm or wrist rather than the proximal ulna with radial head dislocation—for example, Colles and Smith fractures are distal radius fractures with different fragment directions, and Galeazzi is a distal radius fracture with dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint.