Ankle: osteochondral lesion of the talus: 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 · Ankle: osteochondral lesion of the talus

Sample item

A volleyball player has deep ankle pain with occasional locking for 4 months after an inversion injury. Plain ankle radiographs are normal. Which investigation is best next?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. MRI of the ankle

A persistent painful ankle with mechanical symptoms after a sprain suggests an osteochondral lesion of the talus, which is often missed on plain films. MRI shows the lesion, bone oedema and cartilage status. Treatment ranges from rest to arthroscopic debridement and marrow stimulation.

Option by option

  • A. MRI of the ankle (correct)

    Correct. MRI detects osteochondral lesions that radiographs miss.

  • B. Nerve conduction study

    Nerve conduction studies are not indicated for mechanical joint symptoms.

  • C. Bone density scan

    A bone density scan does not assess cartilage or osteochondral injury.

  • D. Repeat plain radiographs in 2 years

    Waiting two years delays a treatable diagnosis.

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 A, MRI of the ankle. A persistent painful ankle with mechanical symptoms after a sprain suggests an osteochondral lesion of the talus, which is often missed on plain films.

Why is "Nerve conduction study" not the answer?

Nerve conduction studies are not indicated for mechanical joint symptoms.

Why is "Bone density scan" not the answer?

A bone density scan does not assess cartilage or osteochondral injury.

Why is "Repeat plain radiographs in 2 years" not the answer?

Waiting two years delays a treatable diagnosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ankle: osteochondral lesion of the talus in Orthopaedics. MRI shows the lesion, bone oedema and cartilage status. Treatment ranges from rest to arthroscopic debridement and marrow stimulation.

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 Ankle: osteochondral lesion of the talus?

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.