Fractures: floating knee: 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 · Fractures: floating knee

Sample item

A motorcyclist has an ipsilateral femoral shaft fracture and tibial shaft fracture after a high-speed collision. Which term describes this injury and what is a key concern?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Floating knee; high energy with a risk of fat embolism and associated injuries

A floating knee is an ipsilateral fracture of the femur and tibia, which makes the knee joint float between two fractures. It results from high energy trauma, so associated head, chest, pelvic and ligament injuries and fat embolism are common. Early stabilisation of both fractures is the usual aim.

Option by option

  • A. Floating knee; high energy with a risk of fat embolism and associated injuries (correct)

    Correct. Ipsilateral femoral and tibial fractures are called a floating knee.

  • B. Bumper fracture; isolated lateral plateau injury

    A bumper fracture is a lateral tibial plateau fracture from a vehicle bumper.

  • C. Segond fracture; ACL rupture only

    Segond fracture is a small avulsion of the lateral tibial plateau.

  • D. Lisfranc injury; compartment syndrome of the foot

    Lisfranc injury is a midfoot injury and unrelated to this combination.

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.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Floating knee; high energy with a risk of fat embolism and associated injuries. A floating knee is an ipsilateral fracture of the femur and tibia, which makes the knee joint float between two fractures.

Why is "Bumper fracture; isolated lateral plateau injury" not the answer?

A bumper fracture is a lateral tibial plateau fracture from a vehicle bumper.

Why is "Segond fracture; ACL rupture only" not the answer?

Segond fracture is a small avulsion of the lateral tibial plateau.

Why is "Lisfranc injury; compartment syndrome of the foot" not the answer?

Lisfranc injury is a midfoot injury and unrelated to this combination.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures: floating knee in Orthopaedics. It results from high energy trauma, so associated head, chest, pelvic and ligament injuries and fat embolism are common. Early stabilisation of both fractures is the usual aim.

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 Fractures: floating knee?

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.