Topic 38 of 43 in the MU Plovdiv syllabus for Orthopaedics and Traumatology (Medicine, Year 4). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 177 words (1 min of reading), with 16 flashcards.
In this note
Essay 38- Fracture of the radial bone in a typical location
Essay 38- Fracture of the radial bone in a typical location
General information
Most common fracture of the musculo-skeletal system
More frequent in females
This fracture is most often accompanied by a fracture of the styloid process of the ulna
Etiology (mechanism)
Indirect flexion- fall on extended arm and direct compression
In childhood- detachment of epiphyseal catilage (epiphysiolysis)
Symptoms
Deformity is seen shaped like a bayonet
Active and passive movements are painful
Injured arm supported by healthy one
Edema of wrist
Anterior-posterior size of wrist is increased
Proximal fragment can be palpaed volarly above wrist
Swelling in elbow joint
Inability to pro/supinate forearm
Diagnosis
X-ray:
X-ray should be in face and profile projection
Face projection shows that the joint surface of the radius is at 30° in relation to the horizontal plane, open ulnarly
Profile projection shows an articulating surface of the radius is at an angle 10-15° in relation to the vertical surface, open volarly
First aid
Dislocated fractures- approximate reduction with immobilisation in plaster splint
Treatment
Non-dislocated fractures- immobilization in a plaster splint for a period of 3 weeks!
Dislocated fractures- anatomical reduction under general anesthesia
Read the full note free
The whole note is free with an AceMed account, with its 16 flashcards. Premium adds flashcard recall, highlights and Ask AI.
