Bone infection: advanced tuberculous arthritis of the hip: 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 · Bone infection: advanced tuberculous arthritis of the hip

Sample item

A 10-year-old with long-standing tuberculosis of the hip holds the hip flexed, adducted and internally rotated. How does the limb appear compared with the opposite side?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Apparently shortened

In advanced arthritis the deformity is flexion, adduction and internal rotation. Adduction raises the pelvis on the affected side, so the limb seems shorter even before true shortening from destruction of the joint. This pattern differs from the early stage.

Option by option

  • A. Apparently lengthened

    Apparent lengthening belongs to the early abduction deformity.

  • B. Equal in length

    Equal lengths are unlikely with a fixed adduction deformity.

  • C. Lengthened by growth stimulation only

    Growth stimulation can cause true lengthening but is not the explanation of this posture.

  • D. Apparently shortened (correct)

    Correct. The adduction deformity tilts the pelvis upward and makes the limb look short.

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, Apparently shortened. In advanced arthritis the deformity is flexion, adduction and internal rotation.

Why is "Apparently lengthened" not the answer?

Apparent lengthening belongs to the early abduction deformity.

Why is "Equal in length" not the answer?

Equal lengths are unlikely with a fixed adduction deformity.

Why is "Lengthened by growth stimulation only" not the answer?

Growth stimulation can cause true lengthening but is not the explanation of this posture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bone infection: advanced tuberculous arthritis of the hip in Orthopaedics. Adduction raises the pelvis on the affected side, so the limb seems shorter even before true shortening from destruction of the joint. This pattern differs from the early stage.

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 Bone infection: advanced tuberculous arthritis of the hip?

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.