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 4873

In scope icon L 1 A
QID 4873 (Type "4873" in App Search)
A 58-year-old African-American female who sustained an injury to her upper arm six months ago presents with persistent arm pain. She was initially treated with splinting, with conversion to fracture bracing. She is neurovascularly intact. An injury radiograph and a current radiograph are shown in Figures A and B respectively. What nutritional or metabolic disturbance is the most likely associated with this patient's diagnosis?
  • A
  • B

Vitamin A deficiency

1%

19/2644

Low serum testosterone

0%

11/2644

Low serum thyroxine

3%

73/2644

Vitamin D deficiency

90%

2378/2644

Hypocalcemia

6%

155/2644

  • A
  • B

Select Answer to see Preferred Response

bookmode logo Review TC In New Tab

This patient has sustained a humeral diaphyseal fracture that has gone on to an atrophic nonunion. Vitamin D deficiency is the most likely associated metabolic disturbance.

The incidence of nonunion with non-operative management of humeral shaft injuries ranges from 2-10%. Risk factors include vitamin D deficiency (most common), open fractures, segmental injuries, smoking and obesity. The optimal treatment is compression plating with bone grafting, which has been shown to be superior to intramedullary nailing with bone grafting or compression plating alone.

Ring et al. reviewed factors that contributed to humeral diaphyseal nonunion after fracture bracing. Fractures in the proximal to middle one-third of the shaft or fractures with a spiral/oblique pattern were more likely to go on to nonunion.

Brinker et al. reviewed 37 low-energy fractures that went onto nonunion. These patients were evaluated by clinical endocrinologists for evaluation of metabolic abnormalities. Thirty-one of the 37 patients (84%) had a metabolic issue, with 68% (25 of 37 patients) having Vitamin D deficiency.

Figure A demonstrates a humeral shaft fracture. Figure B demonstrates an atrophic nonunion of the humeral shaft fracture.

Incorrect Answers:
Answers 1, 2, 3,5: Deficiencies of these options have not been associated with nonunion

REFERENCES (2)
Authors
Rating
Please Rate Question Quality

4.3

  • 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

(9)

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