Please confirm topic selection

Are you sure you want to trigger topic in your Anconeus AI algorithm?

Please confirm action

You are done for today with this topic.

Would you like to start learning session with this topic items scheduled for future?

Review Question - QID 3942

In scope icon L 1 B
QID 3942 (Type "3942" in App Search)
Figure A is a radiograph of an 80-year-old woman who sustained a closed injury to her left arm 10 months ago. She presents to office today complaining of persistent pain in her arm. What is the most likely metabolic or endocrine abnormality contributing to this patients presentation?
  • A

Vitamin D deficiency

69%

2471/3597

Central hypogonadism

2%

89/3597

Thyroid disorder

2%

63/3597

Parathyroid hormone disorder

7%

262/3597

Calcium deficiency

19%

688/3597

  • A

Select Answer to see Preferred Response

bookmode logo Review TC In New Tab

Figure A is a radiograph showing oligotrophic nonunion of a proximal third humeral shaft fracture. The most likely underlying metabolic or endocrine abnormality with this presentation is vitamin D deficiency.

The etiology of fracture nonunion is multifactorial. Predisposing factors include: mechanical instability, poor bone-to-bone contact, infection and biological/biochemical factors. A variety of other contributing factors, such as cigarette smoking and malnutrition, have also been described. Correctable metabolic or endocrine abnormalities are common in elderly patients and are considered contributory in the etiology of fracture non-union. Correction of these abnormalities should be considered prior to surgical fixation.

Brinker et al. studied 37 patients with fracture nonunions with identifiable metabolic or endocrine abnormalities. The distribution of nonunion types at the 46 sites were: oligotrophic (23), atrophic (12), infected (7), and hypertrophic (4). They showed that 85% of patients had a previously undiagnosed metabolic or endocrine abnormality. The most common newly diagnosed abnormality was vitamin D deficiency in 25 of the 37 patients (68%).

Kuo et al. studied 155 consecutive minimal-trauma fracture subjects for metabolic abnormalities with bone mineral density and laboratory testing. At baseline, only 26% had had proper workup for metabolic abnormalities. After diagnostic work-up, 44% of patients were recommended for anti-resorptive therapy and 56% were recommended calcium/vitamin D medication.

Illustrations A and B show open reduction internal fixation of Figure A with a proximal humeral plate.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 2: Studies show 15% of fracture nonunions can be attributed to undiagnosed central hypogonadism.
Answer 3: Studies show 24% of fracture nonunions can be attributed to previously established or undiagnosed thyroid disorders
Answer 4: Studies show 11% of fracture nonunions can be attributed to previously established or undiagnosed parathyroid disorders
Answer 5: Studies show 35% of fracture nonunions can be attributed to lack of calcium.

ILLUSTRATIONS:
REFERENCES (2)
Authors
Rating
Please Rate Question Quality

3.3

  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon
  • star icon star icon star icon

(18)

Attach Treatment Poll
Treatment poll is required to gain more useful feedback from members.
Please enter Question Text
Please enter at least 2 unique options
Please enter at least 2 unique options
Please enter at least 2 unique options