College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

In a FOOSH injury, which other bone in the upper extremity is at risk for fracture besides the scaphoid?

1. Humerus

2. Transverse fracture of distal radius

3. Metacarpal

4. Clavicle

The correct answer is: Transverse fracture of distal radius

A FOOSH injury, which stands for "fall on outstretched hand," typically occurs when an individual falls onto an extended hand. This mechanism of injury can indeed lead to various fractures in the upper extremity due to the force transmitted through the wrist and arm. In this context, a transverse fracture of the distal radius is a common consequence of FOOSH injuries. When a person falls and attempts to catch themselves with their hand, the impact can create significant stress at the wrist joint, which in turn increases the likelihood of fracturing the radius, particularly the distal end. This type of fracture often occurs in conjunction with or is mistaken for a scaphoid fracture, given that both bones are located in the same area of the wrist and are affected by similar forces during such an injury. Other options, such as the humerus, metacarpal, or clavicle, while possible to fracture in upper extremity injuries, are less directly related to the specific mechanism of a FOOSH fall compared to the distal radius. The humeral fractures usually involve different types of falls or injuries, metacarpal fractures often result from direct blows rather than falls, and clavicle fractures more commonly occur from direct impacts to the shoulder or falls onto the shoulder