AEMCA Practice Exam

When does a chance fracture typically occur?

1. When the body is in a relaxed position

2. When the body moves forward suddenly fracturing vertebra

3. During repetitive stress activities

4. As a result of twisting motions

The correct answer is: When the body moves forward suddenly fracturing vertebra

A chance fracture typically occurs due to a sudden forward flexion of the spine, often in a trauma-related context, which can lead to fractures of the vertebrae. This type of injury is commonly associated with high-impact situations, such as a car accident where the body is thrown forward in a hyperflexed position, causing the vertebra to break. In a chance fracture, the mechanism involves a forward bending movement of the spine that can stress and fracture the vertebrae in a horizontal plane, particularly in the lumbar region. This is unique to chance fractures, distinguishing them from other types of vertebral fractures that might result from different motions or impacts. While a relaxed position, repetitive stress, or twisting motions can lead to different types of spinal injuries or fractures, they do not specifically describe the mechanism that leads to a chance fracture. Therefore, referencing the sudden movement forward aligns precisely with the nature of how chance fractures occur.