Techniques: distal femoral osteotomy: 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 · Techniques: distal femoral osteotomy

Sample item

A 35-year-old active woman has valgus alignment of the knee with isolated lateral compartment osteoarthritis. Which osteotomy is used to offload the lateral compartment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Distal femoral varus osteotomy

In a valgus knee the deformity is usually in the femur, so a distal femoral varus osteotomy shifts the load axis medially and offloads the lateral compartment. High tibial osteotomy is used for varus knees with medial compartment arthritis. The aim is to delay arthroplasty in young active patients.

Option by option

  • A. Calcaneal osteotomy

    A calcaneal osteotomy is a hindfoot procedure.

  • B. Proximal femoral valgus osteotomy

    A proximal femoral osteotomy does not realign the knee.

  • C. Distal femoral varus osteotomy (correct)

    Correct. A varus-producing distal femoral osteotomy offloads the lateral side.

  • D. High tibial valgus osteotomy

    A high tibial valgus osteotomy would increase the valgus and is for varus knees.

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, Distal femoral varus osteotomy. In a valgus knee the deformity is usually in the femur, so a distal femoral varus osteotomy shifts the load axis medially and offloads the lateral compartment.

Why is "Calcaneal osteotomy" not the answer?

A calcaneal osteotomy is a hindfoot procedure.

Why is "Proximal femoral valgus osteotomy" not the answer?

A proximal femoral osteotomy does not realign the knee.

Why is "High tibial valgus osteotomy" not the answer?

A high tibial valgus osteotomy would increase the valgus and is for varus knees.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Techniques: distal femoral osteotomy in Orthopaedics. High tibial osteotomy is used for varus knees with medial compartment arthritis. The aim is to delay arthroplasty in young active patients.

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 Techniques: distal femoral osteotomy?

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.