Wrist fractures: Hutchinson fracture: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Wrist fractures: Hutchinson fracture

Sample item

A mechanic's hand is injured by the kickback of a starting handle, producing an oblique intra-articular fracture of the radial styloid. Which eponym applies, and what must be excluded?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hutchinson (chauffeur) fracture; associated carpal ligament injury

A radial styloid fracture is called a Hutchinson or chauffeur fracture. The force is transmitted through the scaphoid, so a scapholunate ligament injury or perilunate instability must be excluded. Displaced fragments are fixed to restore the articular surface.

Option by option

  • A. Hutchinson (chauffeur) fracture; associated carpal ligament injury (correct)

    Correct. Radial styloid fractures can accompany carpal ligament injury, so the carpus needs assessment.

  • B. Bennett fracture; associated scaphoid non-union

    Bennett fracture involves the base of the first metacarpal.

  • C. Smith fracture; associated radial nerve injury

    Smith fracture is a volarly displaced distal radius fracture.

  • D. Barton fracture; associated median nerve injury

    Barton fracture involves the volar or dorsal rim of the distal radius, not the styloid.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Hutchinson (chauffeur) fracture; associated carpal ligament injury. A radial styloid fracture is called a Hutchinson or chauffeur fracture.

Why is "Bennett fracture; associated scaphoid non-union" not the answer?

Bennett fracture involves the base of the first metacarpal.

Why is "Smith fracture; associated radial nerve injury" not the answer?

Smith fracture is a volarly displaced distal radius fracture.

Why is "Barton fracture; associated median nerve injury" not the answer?

Barton fracture involves the volar or dorsal rim of the distal radius, not the styloid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Wrist fractures: Hutchinson fracture in Orthopaedics. The force is transmitted through the scaphoid, so a scapholunate ligament injury or perilunate instability must be excluded. Displaced fragments are fixed to restore the articular surface.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Wrist fractures: Hutchinson fracture?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.