Joint infection: Tom Smith arthritis: 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 · Joint infection: Tom Smith arthritis

Sample item

An infant who survived septicaemia has an unstable hip with shortening and a proximally migrated head, resulting from destruction of the femoral head and neck by earlier septic arthritis. Which eponym is used for this sequel?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Tom Smith arthritis

Tom Smith arthritis is septic arthritis of the infantile hip, in which the cartilaginous femoral head is destroyed and the hip dislocates. It is treated by early drainage and later reconstruction of the unstable hip. Early diagnosis is crucial in neonates.

Option by option

  • A. Freiberg infraction

    Freiberg infraction is avascular necrosis of a metatarsal head.

  • B. Tom Smith arthritis (correct)

    Correct. Infantile septic arthritis of the hip with head destruction is Tom Smith arthritis.

  • C. Perthes disease

    Perthes disease is avascular necrosis of the femoral head in children aged 4 to 8.

  • D. Caffey disease

    Caffey disease is infantile cortical hyperostosis, mostly of the mandible and long bones.

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, Tom Smith arthritis. Tom Smith arthritis is septic arthritis of the infantile hip, in which the cartilaginous femoral head is destroyed and the hip dislocates.

Why is "Freiberg infraction" not the answer?

Freiberg infraction is avascular necrosis of a metatarsal head.

Why is "Perthes disease" not the answer?

Perthes disease is avascular necrosis of the femoral head in children aged 4 to 8.

Why is "Caffey disease" not the answer?

Caffey disease is infantile cortical hyperostosis, mostly of the mandible and long bones.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Joint infection: Tom Smith arthritis in Orthopaedics. It is treated by early drainage and later reconstruction of the unstable hip. Early diagnosis is crucial in neonates.

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 Joint infection: Tom Smith arthritis?

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.