A 45-year-old woman is brought after a road traffic accident with suspected fracture of both bones of forearm. The most important initial step in managing this closed fracture is:

• A Neurovascular assessment of the limb distal to fracture ✓
• B Immediate open reduction and internal fixation
• C Application of a above-elbow plaster cast
• D Intravenous antibiotics prophylaxis

Explanation

Before any definitive treatment, a thorough neurovascular examination of the limb distal to the fracture is mandatory to identify vascular injury, compartment syndrome, or nerve damage — all of which alter urgency and type of management. Undetected vascular compromise can lead to Volkmann's ischaemic contracture. Documentation of pre-treatment neurovascular status also has medico-legal significance.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.