Fractures: humeral shaft management: 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 · Fractures: humeral shaft management

Sample item

A 35-year-old man has a closed, transverse, mid-shaft humerus fracture with minimal displacement and intact nerves. What is the preferred initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Functional brace (Sarmiento) with a collar and cuff

Most closed humeral shaft fractures unite with non-operative treatment because the arm tolerates angulation and shortening well. A functional brace uses soft tissue compression and gravity to maintain alignment while allowing elbow and shoulder motion.

Option by option

  • A. Shoulder spica for 12 weeks

    A shoulder spica is cumbersome and obsolete for this fracture.

  • B. Skeletal traction via the olecranon for 8 weeks

    Prolonged skeletal traction is rarely used.

  • C. Functional brace (Sarmiento) with a collar and cuff (correct)

    Correct. Functional bracing is standard for most closed shaft fractures.

  • D. Immediate plating of all humeral shaft fractures

    Routine plating is not required for simple closed fractures.

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.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Functional brace (Sarmiento) with a collar and cuff. Most closed humeral shaft fractures unite with non-operative treatment because the arm tolerates angulation and shortening well.

Why is "Shoulder spica for 12 weeks" not the answer?

A shoulder spica is cumbersome and obsolete for this fracture.

Why is "Skeletal traction via the olecranon for 8 weeks" not the answer?

Prolonged skeletal traction is rarely used.

Why is "Immediate plating of all humeral shaft fractures" not the answer?

Routine plating is not required for simple closed fractures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures: humeral shaft management in Orthopaedics. A functional brace uses soft tissue compression and gravity to maintain alignment while allowing elbow and shoulder motion.

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 Fractures: humeral shaft management?

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.