Joint disorders: microfracture: 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: microfracture

Sample item

A 28-year-old has a 1.5 cm full-thickness cartilage defect of the femoral condyle with a stable knee and normal alignment. Which technique stimulates repair by releasing marrow elements into the defect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Microfracture

Microfracture involves making small perforations in the subchondral bone so that marrow cells and blood enter the defect and form a clot that matures into fibrocartilage. It suits small, contained defects in young patients. The repair tissue is less durable than hyaline cartilage.

Option by option

  • A. Microfracture (correct)

    Correct. Subchondral perforation releases marrow to form fibrocartilage.

  • B. Synovectomy

    Synovectomy removes inflamed synovium and does not treat a focal chondral defect.

  • C. Total knee replacement

    Total knee replacement is excessive for a small focal defect in a young patient.

  • D. High tibial osteotomy

    High tibial osteotomy corrects alignment and does not stimulate defect repair.

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, Microfracture. Microfracture involves making small perforations in the subchondral bone so that marrow cells and blood enter the defect and form a clot that matures into fibrocartilage.

Why is "Synovectomy" not the answer?

Synovectomy removes inflamed synovium and does not treat a focal chondral defect.

Why is "Total knee replacement" not the answer?

Total knee replacement is excessive for a small focal defect in a young patient.

Why is "High tibial osteotomy" not the answer?

High tibial osteotomy corrects alignment and does not stimulate defect repair.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Joint disorders: microfracture in Orthopaedics. It suits small, contained defects in young patients. The repair tissue is less durable than hyaline cartilage.

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: microfracture?

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.