Hip: Girdlestone arthroplasty: 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 · Hip: Girdlestone arthroplasty

Sample item

A frail patient has a chronically infected total hip replacement that is removed along with the femoral head and neck, leaving no prosthesis. Which operation is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Girdlestone excision arthroplasty

A Girdlestone procedure excises the femoral head and neck, leaving a pseudarthrosis. It is a salvage operation for uncontrolled infection or failed arthroplasty in patients unfit for revision. The patient ends up with limb shortening, a Trendelenburg gait and the need for walking aids.

Option by option

  • A. Hip arthrodesis

    Arthrodesis fuses the joint rather than excising the head and neck.

  • B. Girdlestone excision arthroplasty (correct)

    Correct. Resection of the head and neck without a prosthesis is a Girdlestone arthroplasty.

  • C. Hemiarthroplasty

    Hemiarthroplasty replaces the femoral head with a prosthesis.

  • D. Valgus osteotomy

    Valgus osteotomy realigns the femur and keeps the head in place.

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 B, Girdlestone excision arthroplasty. A Girdlestone procedure excises the femoral head and neck, leaving a pseudarthrosis.

Why is "Hip arthrodesis" not the answer?

Arthrodesis fuses the joint rather than excising the head and neck.

Why is "Hemiarthroplasty" not the answer?

Hemiarthroplasty replaces the femoral head with a prosthesis.

Why is "Valgus osteotomy" not the answer?

Valgus osteotomy realigns the femur and keeps the head in place.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hip: Girdlestone arthroplasty in Orthopaedics. It is a salvage operation for uncontrolled infection or failed arthroplasty in patients unfit for revision. The patient ends up with limb shortening, a Trendelenburg gait and the need for walking aids.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Hip: Girdlestone arthroplasty?

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.