Monteggia fracture
A Monteggia fracture is a serious injury in which one of the forearm bones breaks and the other is forced out of position at the elbow. Although uncommon in adults, prompt assessment and treatment are important to restore elbow stability and arm function.
What is a Monteggia fracture?
A Monteggia fracture is a complex injury involving a fracture of the ulna (one of the two bones in the forearm) together with a dislocation of the head of the radius at the elbow joint. This combination of injuries affects both the bones and stability of the elbow. It most commonly occurs after a fall onto an outstretched hand or following a high-impact injury, such as a sporting accident or road traffic collision. In some cases, nearby nerves or blood vessels can also be damaged.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the fracture but may include:
- Severe pain in the forearm or elbow
- Swelling and bruising
- Tenderness around the injury
- Difficulty moving the elbow or rotating the forearm
- A visible deformity of the arm in some cases
- Weakness, numbness or tingling if a nerve has been injured
If you have severe pain, a visible deformity or numbness in your hand or fingers after an injury, you should seek urgent medical attention.
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by talking to you about how your injury happened and how your symptoms are affecting you. They'll then examine your arm, assessing the elbow, forearm and surrounding structures, while also checking for any signs of nerve or blood vessel injury.
To understand the full extent of your injury, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of elbow and forearm movement where appropriate
- Checks of circulation and nerve function
- X-rays to confirm the fracture and elbow dislocation
- CT scans where further assessment of the fracture is required
How is it treated?
Your treatment options will be clearly explained to you and our team will work with you to recommend the approach that's right for your injury. Together, we'll develop a treatment plan tailored to your recovery goals.
Treatment may include:
- A procedure called a reduction to return the radial head to its normal position
- A splint or cast to protect the arm where appropriate
- Pain relief to help keep you comfortable during your recovery
- Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength and function
- Surgery to repair the fractured ulna and restore the stability of the elbow where required
Treatment routes for a Monteggia fracture
Non-surgical treatment is usually only suitable in selected cases, most commonly in children or where the bones remain stable after reduction.
Treatment generally involves immobilising the arm in a cast for a period of time before beginning a personalised physiotherapy programme to restore movement and strength. Our team will guide you through each stage of your recovery and monitor your healing closely.
Recovery goals after a Monteggia fracture
Recovery initially focuses on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the fracture while it heals Beginning gentle movement when appropriate Preventing stiffness
As healing progresses, rehabilitation aims to:
Restore movement in the elbow and forearm Improve strength and control Increase confidence using the arm Return to normal daily activities
The final stage of rehabilitation focuses on:
Building strength for work, sport or recreation Improving coordination and function Returning safely to higher levels of activity where appropriate Reducing the risk of further injury
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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