Fractures and dislocations: upper limb: 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 and dislocations: upper limb

Sample item

A man falls on his outstretched hand. Radiographs show a fracture of the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the radial shaft with prominence of the ulnar head at the wrist. What is this injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Galeazzi fracture-dislocation

A fracture of the radial shaft with disruption of the distal radioulnar joint is the Galeazzi injury, treated by plating the radius and reducing the DRUJ. Monteggia is the reverse pattern at the elbow.

Option by option

  • A. Monteggia fracture-dislocation

    Monteggia is an ulnar shaft fracture with radial head dislocation at the elbow.

  • B. Galeazzi fracture-dislocation (correct)

    Correct. Radial shaft fracture with distal radioulnar joint dislocation is the Galeazzi pattern.

  • C. Smith fracture

    A Smith fracture is a distal radius fracture with volar displacement and no shaft fracture.

  • D. Essex-Lopresti injury

    Essex-Lopresti is a radial head fracture with interosseous membrane tear and DRUJ disruption.

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 B, Galeazzi fracture-dislocation. A fracture of the radial shaft with disruption of the distal radioulnar joint is the Galeazzi injury, treated by plating the radius and reducing the DRUJ.

Why is "Monteggia fracture-dislocation" not the answer?

Monteggia is an ulnar shaft fracture with radial head dislocation at the elbow.

Why is "Smith fracture" not the answer?

A Smith fracture is a distal radius fracture with volar displacement and no shaft fracture.

Why is "Essex-Lopresti injury" not the answer?

Essex-Lopresti is a radial head fracture with interosseous membrane tear and DRUJ disruption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures and dislocations: upper limb in Orthopaedics. Monteggia is the reverse pattern at the elbow.

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 and dislocations: upper limb?

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.