Marked Swelling in Surgery — 9yo Child | Orthopedics | SMLE Q#17837
SMLE Question #17837
Surgery
Orthopedics
Objective: OBJ-ORTHO-ACUTE-001
Last updated: February 2026
A 9-year-old boy falls onto an outstretched hand. Wrist radiographs show a distal radius fracture. His forearm is tense with marked swelling and escalating pain despite immobilisation. Pain increases with passive finger extension, and he reports tingling in the hand. Radial and ulnar pulses are palpable with capillary refill of 2 seconds. What is the most appropriate management?
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