Upper Limb Trauma
A 35-year-old motorcyclist is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed collision. He has an obvious deformity of his right arm with swelling around the elbow. Radiographs reveal a humeral shaft fracture and an ipsilateral both-bone forearm fracture. He has intact radial and ulnar pulses but reduced sensation in the median nerve distribution. His hand is cool but capillary refill is present. Regarding floating elbow injuries:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
A floating elbow is defined as ipsilateral fractures of the humerus and forearm (radius and/or ulna)...
Initial management includes splinting, neurovascular assessment, and urgent reduction if pulses are ...
Floating elbow only involves the humerus and radius; it occurs with low-energy falls; vascular injur...
Surgical sequencing is debated but many surgeons fix the humerus first (provides stable platform for...
Outcomes are generally good when both fractures are anatomically fixed and early motion is achieved;...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option