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Difficulty: MediumOrthopedic Surgery

Match each of the following eponymous forearm and wrist fractures with its correct anatomical injury description.

  • Monteggia fractureProximal ulnar shaft fracture with associated dislocation of the radial head
  • Galeazzi fractureDistal radial shaft fracture with associated dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint
  • Colles fractureExtra-articular fracture of the distal radius with dorsal (posterior) displacement
  • Smith fractureExtra-articular fracture of the distal radius with volar (anterior) displacement

Answer

Monteggia fracture matches with proximal ulnar shaft fracture; Galeazzi fracture matches with distal radial shaft fracture; Colles fracture matches with dorsally displaced distal radius fracture; Smith fracture matches with volarly displaced distal radius fracture.
Correct identification of these eponymous fractures relies on knowing the specific bone involved and the associated joint dislocation or direction of displacement. The MUGR mnemonic (Monteggia = Ulna, Galeazzi = Radius) accurately pairs the diaphyseal fractures. For the distal radius fractures, a fall on an outstretched hand in extension causes the dorsal displacement seen in a Colles fracture, whereas a fall in flexion causes the volar displacement defining a Smith fracture.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Differentiate diaphyseal forearm fractures with associated joint dislocations.
Identify Monteggia as involving the proximal ulna and Galeazzi as involving the distal radius.
The mnemonic MUGR (Monteggia-Ulna, Galeazzi-Radius) effectively separates these two distinct injury patterns.
2
Differentiate extra-articular distal radius fractures based on the direction of displacement.
Identify Colles as having dorsal displacement and Smith as having volar displacement.
The mechanism of injury (wrist extension versus flexion) determines the displacement direction, which defines these classic eponymous fractures.

Key Concept

Classic eponymous fractures of the forearm and wrist
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Topics

Orthopedic Surgery

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