Monteggia fractures, Bado classification system
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fracture of proximal or middle third of ulna, with anterior dislocation of radial head. Most common fracture pattern (~60%). Posterior angulation of distal ulna fragment. |
| 2 | Fracture of proximal or middle third of ulna, with posterior dislocation of the radial head. Anterior angulation of distal ulna fragment. |
| 3 | Fracture of ulna with lateral dislocation of radial head. More common in paediatric patients |
| 4 | Anterior dislocation of radial head with radial shaft fracture. |
Original publication Bado JL. The Monteggia lesion. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1967;50:71-86.
- Fracture of distal radius, with associated disruption of DRUJ
| System | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Location of distal radius compared to ulna | Volar displacement | Dorsal displacement |
| Rettig and Raskin, location of fracture | <7.5cm from articular surface. Associated with >50% DRUJ injury | >7.5cm from articular surface. Associated with <5% DRUJ instability |
Original publication Rettig ME, Raskin KB. Galeazzi fracture-dislocation: a new treatment-oriented classification. J Hand Surg Am. 2001;26(2):228-35.
Radial head fracture, Mason classification
- Mason classification is a primarily radiographic classification system, however does also consider mechanical block. It does effectively guide treatment
| Type | Description | Management |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Undisplaced / <2mm displacement, and no mechanical block | Conservative management with immobilisation in backslab / sling followed by early mobilisation from ~2/52 onwards |
| 2 | Comminution / displacement, involving up to 50%, possible mechanical block | ORIF. Can consider fragment excision, but only if <25% of radial head and at risk of causing instability |
| 3 | Comminuted fracture involving the whole head, with mechanical block present | Consider ORIF, or radial head replacement |
| 4 | Radial head and ulna-humeral dislocation |
Original publication Mason ML. Some observations on fractures of the head of the radius with a review of one hundred cases. Br J Surg. 1954;42(172):123-32.
Paediatric supracondylar distal humerus fracture, Gartland classification
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Undisplaced |
| 2a | Displaced with intact posterior cortex, angulation only |
| 2b | Displaced with intact posterior cortex, with rotation or translation |
| 3 | Completely displaced, no cortical contact |
Original publication Gartland JJ. Management of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1959;109(2):145-54.
References
Author Contributions
Sean Griffiths, WH Resident, 2020
Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.