Upper Extremity Xray

Question 1

Describe an oblique fracture

Answer 1

A complete diagonal fracture across the bone

Question 2

Anterior dislocation of the shoulder joint typically results in [blank] displacement of the humerus

Answer 2

Inferior displacement

Question 3

What is an avulsion?

Answer 3

Joint capsule, ligament, or tendon pulled from the bone, usually taking a fragment of cortical bone with it

Question 4

Describe a bowing fracture

Answer 4

The long bone has been bent, not broken

Question 5

Describe a transverse fracture

Answer 5

Straight, complete fracture across the bone

Question 6

Which is more common, anterior or posterior shoulder dislocations?

Answer 6

Anterior (95%)

Question 7

Three views from which the shoulder can be xrayed

Answer 7

• Antero-posterior (AP)
• Lateral/scapula Y
• Axial

Question 8

What is the physis of a bone?

Answer 8

Growth plate

Question 9

Differentiate between Galeazzi and Monteggia fractures

Answer 9

“GRIMUS”

• Galeazzi = radius and inferior (distal)
• Monteggia = ulna and superior (proximal)

Question 10

Describe a greenstick fracture

Answer 10

Incomplete fracture with cracks on one side from bending

Question 11

Are pediatric fractures more often complete or incomplete?

Answer 11

Incomplete, since their bones are more plastic

Question 12

Which MRI, T1 or T2, is best for viewing fluids?

Answer 12

T2

Question 13

Describe a Salter-Harris fracture

Answer 13

Any fracture that involves the growth plate

Question 14

Describe a buckle/torus fracture

Answer 14

Impacted fracture, one side bugles and the other side intact

Question 15

Terms to describe a fracture in which the bone length has increased and decreased

Answer 15

Increased length: Distraction

Decreased length: Impaction

Question 16

Difference between complete and incomplete fractures

Answer 16

Complete: break all the way through the bone

Incomplete: whole width of cortex of bone is not broken

Question 17

What does a posterior fat pad/sail sign on a lateral elbow x-ray represent?

Answer 17

Blood pooling, likely from a fracture

Question 18

If a fracture is said to be in the diaphysis, where is it?

Answer 18

The shaft of the bone

Question 19

Describe the five stages of Salter-Harris fractures

Answer 19

1. S - Straight across
2. A - Above
3. L - Lower (or beLow)
4. T - Through (or two)
5. ER - ERasure of the growth plate (or cRush)

Question 20

Describe a comminuted fracture

Answer 20

Complete fracture with more than two parts to the fracture

Question 21

If a fracture is said to be in the epiphysis, where is it?

Answer 21

The end of the bone, adjacent to the joint

Question 22

A partial dislocation is known as a …

Answer 22

Subluxation

Question 23

What do Galeazzi and Monteggia fractures have in common?

Answer 23

Both have a cooccurring wrist dislocation

Question 24

When describing a fracture, what does displacement refer to?

Answer 24

The degree to which the fractured ends are out of alignment with each other

Question 25

Difference between a closed and open fracture

Answer 25

Closed (simple) = skin intact

Open (compound) = broken bone penetrated skin

Question 26

Describe the appearance of a spiral fracture

Answer 26

Complete fracture that looks like a corkscrew

Question 27

If a Salter-Harris fracture is hard to see on x-ray but the patient has pain localized in that area, assume it is this type of fracture

Answer 27

Type 1 (straight across)

Question 28

Which MRI, T1 or T2, is best for viewing fat?

Answer 28

T1

Question 29

Gamekeeper’s/skiers thumb is typically this type of fracture

Answer 29

Avulsion (ulnar collateral ligament pulls on thumb bone)

Question 30

If a fracture is said to be in the metaphysis, where is it?

Answer 30

Widening portion at neck of long bone

Question 31

Four signs of osteoarthritis

Answer 31

• decreased joint space
• osteophytes (spurs)
• sclerosis (white patches on bone)
• subchondral cysts