Paediatric orthopaedics: rickets deformity management: 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.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Paediatric orthopaedics: rickets deformity management

Sample item

A 3-year-old with biochemical and radiological nutritional rickets has moderate genu varum. What is the best initial management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vitamin D with calcium and observation for correction

Deformities of nutritional rickets often correct with healing once vitamin D and calcium replace the deficit and the child grows. Surgery is considered only when deformity persists after biochemical and radiological healing, in older children. Operating in active disease risks recurrence.

Option by option

  • A. Long leg braces without vitamin D

    Bracing without treating the deficiency does not heal the bone.

  • B. Epiphysiodesis

    Epiphysiodesis is not indicated for active rickets.

  • C. Immediate corrective osteotomy

    Osteotomy in active rickets risks recurrence.

  • D. Vitamin D with calcium and observation for correction (correct)

    Correct. Medical treatment often corrects the deformity.

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 D, Vitamin D with calcium and observation for correction. Deformities of nutritional rickets often correct with healing once vitamin D and calcium replace the deficit and the child grows.

Why is "Long leg braces without vitamin D" not the answer?

Bracing without treating the deficiency does not heal the bone.

Why is "Epiphysiodesis" not the answer?

Epiphysiodesis is not indicated for active rickets.

Why is "Immediate corrective osteotomy" not the answer?

Osteotomy in active rickets risks recurrence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric orthopaedics: rickets deformity management in Orthopaedics. Surgery is considered only when deformity persists after biochemical and radiological healing, in older children. Operating in active disease risks recurrence.

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 Paediatric orthopaedics: rickets deformity management?

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.