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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Distal Humerus Fracture Classification

Elbow Trauma

A 72-year-old woman presents after a fall onto her outstretched hand. Radiographs reveal a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus with involvement of both columns and the trochlea. The fracture extends into the olecranon fossa. CT scan confirms complex articular involvement with separation of both condyles from the shaft. Regarding distal humerus fractures:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The distal humerus has a triangular architecture with medial and lateral columns forming a triangle ...

B

The AO/OTA classification divides distal humerus fractures into Type A (extra-articular), Type B (pa...

C

The distal humerus has a rectangular architecture; the trochlea has 30 degrees of varus; the capitel...

D

Treatment goals include anatomic articular reduction, stable fixation allowing early motion, and res...

E

Complications include stiffness (most common), heterotopic ossification (10-20%), ulnar nerve palsy,...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option