Fractures: displaced neck of femur in a young adult: 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: displaced neck of femur in a young adult

Sample item

A 28-year-old is brought after a road accident with a displaced subcapital fracture of the femoral neck. What is the most appropriate treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Urgent anatomical reduction and internal fixation

In young patients the aim is to preserve the native head, so the fracture is reduced anatomically and fixed urgently with screws or a sliding hip screw. Early reduction reduces tamponade and torsion of the retinacular vessels, lowering avascular necrosis. Replacement is reserved for older, low-demand patients.

Option by option

  • A. Total hip replacement

    Total hip replacement sacrifices a young native joint unnecessarily.

  • B. Skin traction for six weeks

    Prolonged traction leads to nonunion, deformity and complications.

  • C. Cemented hemiarthroplasty

    Hemiarthroplasty is chosen for displaced fractures in older patients.

  • D. Urgent anatomical reduction and internal fixation (correct)

    Correct. Urgent reduction and fixation aim to save the head.

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 D, Urgent anatomical reduction and internal fixation. In young patients the aim is to preserve the native head, so the fracture is reduced anatomically and fixed urgently with screws or a sliding hip screw.

Why is "Total hip replacement" not the answer?

Total hip replacement sacrifices a young native joint unnecessarily.

Why is "Skin traction for six weeks" not the answer?

Prolonged traction leads to nonunion, deformity and complications.

Why is "Cemented hemiarthroplasty" not the answer?

Hemiarthroplasty is chosen for displaced fractures in older patients.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures: displaced neck of femur in a young adult in Orthopaedics. Early reduction reduces tamponade and torsion of the retinacular vessels, lowering avascular necrosis. Replacement is reserved for older, low-demand patients.

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: displaced neck of femur in a young adult?

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.