AEMCA Practice Exam

What characterizes a Smith fracture?

1. Fracture of the distal radius with lateral displacement

2. Fracture of the distal radius with frontal displacement of the wrist and hand

3. Fracture involving the vertebrae

4. Fracture involving the tibia

The correct answer is: Fracture of the distal radius with frontal displacement of the wrist and hand

A Smith fracture is specifically characterized as a fracture of the distal radius where there is a fracture with palmar or volar displacement of the distal fragment. This means that, in the case of a Smith fracture, the wrist and hand are affected by a downward (frontal) displacement of the distal bone fragment, which is distinct from other types of fractures, such as a Colles fracture, where the distal fragment is displaced dorsally (upward). The context of the other options helps clarify why they do not represent a Smith fracture. A fracture of the distal radius with lateral displacement refers to a different kind of injury, which may involve radial deviation rather than the palm-facing displacement seen in a Smith fracture. Similarly, options that involve vertebral or tibial fractures do not pertain to the radius at all, making them unrelated to the definition of a Smith fracture. Thus, the defining feature of the Smith fracture lies in the specific type of displacement that occurs in the region of the distal radius.