Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Humeral Shaft Fracture Management

Fractures

A 45-year-old man falls from a ladder onto his right arm. Examination reveals swelling and deformity of the mid-arm. He has wrist drop and numbness over the dorsal first web space. Radiographs show a displaced spiral fracture of the middle third of the humeral shaft. The hand is warm and well-perfused. Regarding humeral shaft fractures:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The radial nerve is at risk with humeral shaft fractures, especially at the junction of the middle a...

B

Non-operative treatment with functional bracing (Sarmiento brace) is appropriate for most closed hum...

C

All radial nerve palsies require immediate exploration; the radial nerve is at risk at the proximal ...

D

Surgical indications include: open fractures, polytrauma, floating elbow, bilateral fractures, vascu...

E

Primary radial nerve palsy (at time of injury) has 70-90% spontaneous recovery rate and should be ob...

Answer the questions to see explanations

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