Three cases of missed Monteggia fracture underwent surgical treatment within one to two months after the injury

Monteggia fractures in childhood are occasionally missed until radial head dislocation is diagnosed after the acute phase. Herein, we report the characteristics and clinical outcomes of three missed Monteggia fracture cases, diagnosed at relatively early stages that required surgical treatment. All the cases consisted of a fracture of the proximal ulna with anterior dislocation of the radial head and an ossified focus around the radial head. In cases of missed Monteggia fractures in children that are discovered at a relatively early stage, tissue interposition between the radial head and the capitellum, and bowing of the ulna are frequently observed, suggesting that concomitant use of open reduction of the radial head and corrective osteotomy of the ulna might be effective.