Question

In Volkmann's ischaemic contracture, which artery is involved?

• A. Radial
• B. Brachial
• C. Ulnar
• D. Interosseous

Hint:

Think of the vessel injured at the elbow in a supracondylar fracture.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Volkmann's ischaemic contracture is a permanent flexion deformity of the hand and wrist that follows ischaemic necrosis of the forearm flexor muscles, classically after a supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children.

Step 2: The artery involved is the brachial artery. Injury or compression of the brachial artery near the elbow causes ischaemia of the flexor compartment (Volkmann's ischaemia). Postischaemic swelling from oedema or haemorrhage raises compartment pressure, producing compartment syndrome that, if not relieved promptly, ends in the fixed contracture.

Step 3: Why the other options are wrong: the radial, ulnar, and interosseous arteries are downstream branches; the primary insult in the classic scenario is at the brachial artery at the elbow, not these distal vessels.

Step 4: Hence the brachial artery is the vessel implicated in Volkmann's contracture.