Pelvis: Young-Burgess lateral compression: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Pelvis: Young-Burgess lateral compression

Sample item

A pedestrian is struck from the side by a car. Pelvic radiographs show horizontal rami fractures with an impacted sacral fracture on the same side. Which Young-Burgess category is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lateral compression

The Young-Burgess system classifies pelvic ring injuries by force direction: lateral compression, anteroposterior compression, vertical shear and combined mechanism. Lateral compression is the most common and produces transverse pubic ramus fractures with sacral compression. The impaction tends to reduce pelvic volume, so haemorrhage is often less than in anteroposterior compression.

Option by option

  • A. Anteroposterior compression III

    APC injuries open the pelvis like a book with symphysis diastasis.

  • B. Combined mechanical injury only

    A combined mechanism has features of more than one pattern, which is not described here.

  • C. Lateral compression (correct)

    Correct. Side impact with transverse rami and sacral impaction is lateral compression.

  • D. Vertical shear

    Vertical shear follows a fall onto the leg with vertical displacement of one hemipelvis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Lateral compression. The Young-Burgess system classifies pelvic ring injuries by force direction: lateral compression, anteroposterior compression, vertical shear and combined mechanism.

Why is "Anteroposterior compression III" not the answer?

APC injuries open the pelvis like a book with symphysis diastasis.

Why is "Combined mechanical injury only" not the answer?

A combined mechanism has features of more than one pattern, which is not described here.

Why is "Vertical shear" not the answer?

Vertical shear follows a fall onto the leg with vertical displacement of one hemipelvis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pelvis: Young-Burgess lateral compression in Orthopaedics. Lateral compression is the most common and produces transverse pubic ramus fractures with sacral compression. The impaction tends to reduce pelvic volume, so haemorrhage is often less than in anteroposterior compression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pelvis: Young-Burgess lateral compression?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.