Joint disorders: Outerbridge classification: 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 disorders: Outerbridge classification

Sample item

At knee arthroscopy, the surgeon finds full-thickness cartilage loss on the medial femoral condyle with exposed subchondral bone. What Outerbridge grade is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Grade IV

The Outerbridge classification grades chondromalacia: grade I is softening and swelling, grade II is fissuring below about 1.3 cm, grade III is fissuring above that size to the subchondral bone, and grade IV is exposed subchondral bone. Grade IV lesions in a young patient may be treated with cartilage repair techniques.

Option by option

  • A. Grade III

    Grade III is deep fissuring that reaches but does not expose bone over a large area.

  • B. Grade II

    Grade II is partial-thickness fissuring of limited size.

  • C. Grade IV (correct)

    Correct. Exposed subchondral bone is grade IV.

  • D. Grade I

    Grade I is softening and swelling of the cartilage only.

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, Grade IV. The Outerbridge classification grades chondromalacia: grade I is softening and swelling, grade II is fissuring below about 1.

Why is "Grade III" not the answer?

Grade III is deep fissuring that reaches but does not expose bone over a large area.

Why is "Grade II" not the answer?

Grade II is partial-thickness fissuring of limited size.

Why is "Grade I" not the answer?

Grade I is softening and swelling of the cartilage only.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Joint disorders: Outerbridge classification in Orthopaedics. 3 cm, grade III is fissuring above that size to the subchondral bone, and grade IV is exposed subchondral bone. Grade IV lesions in a young patient may be treated with cartilage repair techniques.

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 Joint disorders: Outerbridge classification?

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.