Xray of Comminuted Fracture of Upper End of Humerus

Following xray is of 67 years old man who fell in bathroom. He presented in the out patient department three days after the injury with complaint of pain and swelling in the upper part of the arm. There was substantial bruising on the arm and swelling was noted.

The xray revealed comminuted fracture of upper end of humerus.

The patient was advised closed reduction and internal fixation using an interlock nail but patient refused for surgery.

An Overview of Fractures of Distal Radius

Understanding and management of fractures of distal end of radius have come a long way. Consider this statement by Abraham Colles made two centuries back.

“One consolation remains that limb will , at some remote period enjoy perfect freedom in all its motions, and be completely exempt from pain. The deformity, however will remain undiminished throughout the life.”

Modern management of these fractures have made these statement a history. Much has been understood about complexities of fractures of distal end radius and the management has evolved a lot incuding the techniques and instruments.

Broadly speaking fractures can be either extra-articular or intra articular [Not involving or involving the joints].

What has been described as Colles fracture is an extra-articular fracture of the distal end of radius. Read more

Fracture Upper End Humerus In Child Treated With Closed Reduction and Internal Fixation With K Wires

Fracture upper end humerus are common fractures in children as well in adults and elderly. However fractures behave differently in different age groups.

While elderly patients can be treated on conservatively The fractures in an adult on the other hand would require operative treatment owing to the increased demands and active life style.

Most of these fractures in children also unite on conservative treatment. Only those fractures which are severely displaced would need an operative intervention.

The following xrays are of  10 years old child who suffered fracture of upper end of humerus after he fell from height while he was flying a kite.

The fracture is severely displaced as can be seen in the picture. Read more

Examination and Imaging In Distal End Radius Fracture

The amount of trauma required to produce a distal end radius fracture varies from minor fall to motor vehicle accidents.

Most of the patients present with a history of trauma and deformity in the wrist following the trauma. The elderly patients generally present with deformity in the wrist following fall on the hand.

The examination would reveal the deformity and give an idea about the injury to surrounding soft tissue structures. Functions of nerves, vessels and tendons should be checked. Read more

Fracture of Distal Fourth of Radius and Ulna In 6 years Old Child

Distal forearm fractures in forearm occur in children due to fall on outstretched hand.
This is an xray of 6 years old child who suffreed this injury ehn she slipped and fell on her hand.

The xray above is 5 days after closed reduction and plaster application.

These fractures respond very well to conservative treatment.

Fracture Proximal Phalanges Fixed With K Wire

K wire is the short term for Kirchner Wire.

K wire is frequently used in treatment of fractures in children and in hand injuries among other things.

The xray below is post operative image of a 26 years old labroure who injured his hand due to work related injury.

He suffered from fracture of proximal phalanx of second and third digit.

The injury was treated with closed reduction and K wire fixation under C Arm.

The fracture has united after 4 weeks and patient has been put on mobilization exerecises.

Fracture Humerus Fixed Plates and Screws With Radiological Signs of Implant Loosening

If after fixation of a fracture, there is failure to unite within certain amount of time, there is danger of implant getting failed.

With improved qualities of implants, meticulous surgical techniques and careful postoperative protocols, the failures can be reduced.

But still failures do occur.

After a fracture is fixed there is kind of race between fracture union and implant fatigue. Fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs in materials when a material is subjected to cyclic loading.

In other words every time an implant is subjected to stress, there occurs a damage to it. Repetitive damage accumulates over the periods and ultimately leads to breakage of the implant.

This is one kind of fixation failure. Read more

Fracture of Proximal Phalanx Of Little Finger -Anteroposterior and Oblique Views

Proximal phalanx of this 40 years old man was broken into two parts following the little finger got stuck in in a moving chain.

There was a severe displacement of the fracture.

The fracture was closed reduced and fixed with Kwire.

He is due for follow up for wire removal aftr three weeks.

Fracture of Tibial Plateau – Anteroposterior Xray

Tibial plateau fractures are complex fracture involving articular surface of upper end tibia also called tibial plateau.
Because they are articular fractures in a weight bearing joint, it is important to treat this fractures with anatomical restoration of the joint congruity. Read more

Undisplaced Oblique Fracture of Lower Tibia – Anteroposterior View Xray

Oblique fractures are the fracture at an angle to transverse axis of the bone and extend into two planes. Oblique fractures are result of an indirect trauma.

Following xray is of 47 years old male who met with trauma when he was traveling on the bike. The xray reveals fractured tibia in an oblique fashion and comminution of fracture was visible.

The fracture has been successfully treated in above knee plaster cast.

Next Page »