Knee trauma: ACL injury: 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 · Knee trauma: ACL injury

Sample item

A footballer twists the knee, hears a pop, develops rapid swelling, and later reports instability when changing direction. Which ligament is most likely injured?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Anterior cruciate ligament

ACL rupture commonly follows a noncontact pivoting injury with a pop, hemarthrosis, and subsequent giving-way episodes. Examination and MRI help define associated injury.

Option by option

  • A. Anterior cruciate ligament (correct)

    Correct. The mechanism and hemarthrosis are typical of ACL rupture.

  • B. Medial collateral ligament only

    MCL injury is usually from valgus force and medial joint-line pain.

  • C. Patellar tendon

    Patellar tendon rupture causes inability to actively extend the knee.

  • D. Posterior cruciate ligament

    PCL injury often follows posterior force to a flexed knee, such as dashboard trauma.

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 A, Anterior cruciate ligament. ACL rupture commonly follows a noncontact pivoting injury with a pop, hemarthrosis, and subsequent giving-way episodes.

Why is "Medial collateral ligament only" not the answer?

MCL injury is usually from valgus force and medial joint-line pain.

Why is "Patellar tendon" not the answer?

Patellar tendon rupture causes inability to actively extend the knee.

Why is "Posterior cruciate ligament" not the answer?

PCL injury often follows posterior force to a flexed knee, such as dashboard trauma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Knee trauma: ACL injury in Orthopaedics. Examination and MRI help define associated injury.

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 Knee trauma: ACL injury?

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.