Broken Bone

Question 1

What are the neurovascular implications of a humeral fracture?

Answer 1

. Damage to axillary nerve, which affects function of deltoid and teres minor
. Damage to posterior circumflex humeral artery, which affects blood supply to teres major, teres minor, deltoid, and triceps

Question 2

How can falling on an outstretched hand cause a fracture of the radius?

Answer 2

Radius pushes into capitulum of humerus, causing the radius to break

Question 3

How are the radius and ulnar connected? Why is this clinically significant?

Answer 3

. Connected by the interosseous membrane

. Trauma from one of these bones can be transmitted to the other, so fracture to both these bones is common

Question 4

What nerve damage is likely to produce loss of sensation in the ring and little finger?

Answer 4

Damage to ulnar nerve

Question 5

Which is the main nerve affected in carpal tunnel syndrome? How does this present?

Answer 5

Median nerve compressed causes tingling of fingers and thumb

Question 6

What is a FOOSH?

Answer 6

Fall on outstretched hand

Question 7

Give the 4 main stages of bone healing?

Answer 7

Blood clot, soft callus, hard callus, remodelling

Question 8

What is wrist drop caused by?

Answer 8

. Damage to the radial nerve

. Radial nerve usually innervates extensors of wrist, so damage to this nerve leads to unopposed wrist flexion

Question 9

What is foot drop caused by?

Answer 9

. Damage to common fibular nerve
. Deep fibular nerve is branch of common fibular nerve, usually innervates anterior leg muscles, so damage to this nerve leads to unopposed plantarflexion