Foot disorders: ingrown toenail: 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 · Foot disorders: ingrown toenail

Sample item

A 17-year-old has recurrent painful infection of the lateral edge of the great toenail with granulation tissue despite conservative care. Which procedure gives the lowest recurrence?

ADaily oral antibiotics for monthsBSimple incision and drainage repeated as neededCPartial nail avulsion with phenol ablation of the nail matrixDTotal toe amputation

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Partial nail avulsion with phenol ablation of the nail matrix

For recurrent ingrown toenails, removing the offending edge of the nail and destroying the germinal matrix of that segment with phenol prevents regrowth of the spike. Antibiotics and drainage give only temporary relief. Amputation is excessive.

Option by option

A. Daily oral antibiotics for months
Prolonged antibiotics do not remove the cause.
B. Simple incision and drainage repeated as needed
Drainage alone leaves the nail edge in place.
C. Partial nail avulsion with phenol ablation of the nail matrix (correct)
Correct. Partial avulsion with matrix ablation prevents recurrence.
D. Total toe amputation
Amputation is out of proportion to the problem.

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.

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Partial nail avulsion with phenol ablation of the nail matrix. For recurrent ingrown toenails, removing the offending edge of the nail and destroying the germinal matrix of that segment with phenol prevents regrowth of the spike.

Why is "Daily oral antibiotics for months" not the answer?

Prolonged antibiotics do not remove the cause.

Why is "Simple incision and drainage repeated as needed" not the answer?

Drainage alone leaves the nail edge in place.

Why is "Total toe amputation" not the answer?

Amputation is out of proportion to the problem.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Foot disorders: ingrown toenail in Orthopaedics. Antibiotics and drainage give only temporary relief. Amputation is excessive.

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 Foot disorders: ingrown toenail?

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.