Which statement correctly differentiates Monteggia fracture from Galeazzi fracture?

Which statement correctly differentiates Monteggia fracture from Galeazzi fracture?

• A. Monteggia = distal ulna fracture with radial head dislocation; Galeazzi = proximal radius fracture with DRUJ dislocation
• B. Monteggia = proximal ulna fracture with radial head dislocation; Galeazzi = distal radius fracture with distal radioulnar joint dislocation
• C. Monteggia = elbow dislocation with ulna fracture; Galeazzi = ulna fracture with elbow dislocation
• D. Monteggia = proximal radius fracture with radial head dislocation; Galeazzi = distal ulna fracture with DRUJ dislocation

Answer: (B)

The distinguishing idea is where the fracture occurs and which joint is displaced. A Monteggia fracture is a fracture of the proximal ulna with dislocation of the radial head at the elbow, meaning the ulna breaks near the elbow and the radial head is forced out of its normal position. A Galeazzi fracture is a fracture of the distal radius with dislocation or disruption of the distal radioulnar joint at the wrist, so the break is near the wrist and the DRUJ is affected. That’s why the best description is the one that states proximal ulna fracture with radial head dislocation combined with a distal radius fracture with DRUJ dislocation as the respective injuries. Other descriptions mix up the fracture location (proximal radius versus ulna) or misidentify which joint dislocates (radial head vs DRUJ), so they don’t align with the characteristic patterns.

The distinguishing idea is where the fracture occurs and which joint is displaced. A Monteggia fracture is a fracture of the proximal ulna with dislocation of the radial head at the elbow, meaning the ulna breaks near the elbow and the radial head is forced out of its normal position. A Galeazzi fracture is a fracture of the distal radius with dislocation or disruption of the distal radioulnar joint at the wrist, so the break is near the wrist and the DRUJ is affected.

That’s why the best description is the one that states proximal ulna fracture with radial head dislocation combined with a distal radius fracture with DRUJ dislocation as the respective injuries. Other descriptions mix up the fracture location (proximal radius versus ulna) or misidentify which joint dislocates (radial head vs DRUJ), so they don’t align with the characteristic patterns.