A 10-year-old boy falls on an outstretched hand. X-ray shows a fracture of the distal humerus with anterior displacement of the distal fragment. The nerve most commonly injured in this fracture is:

• A Ulnar nerve
• B Anterior interosseous nerve ✓
• C Median nerve
• D Radial nerve

Explanation

Supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children is the most common elbow fracture in this age group, and the anterior interosseous nerve (a branch of the median nerve) is the nerve most commonly injured due to the anterior displacement of the distal fragment. Clinically this manifests as inability to flex the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb — the 'OK sign' test is positive. The radial artery is also at risk, making neurovascular assessment critical.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.