Arthroplasty: prosthetic joint infection: 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 · Arthroplasty: prosthetic joint infection

Sample item

A patient with a knee replacement develops new pain, warmth, effusion, fever, and raised CRP. Which complication must be urgently considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Prosthetic joint infection

Prosthetic joint infection may present acutely with pain, warmth, effusion, systemic symptoms, and raised inflammatory markers. It requires urgent orthopedic assessment, appropriate cultures, and coordinated antimicrobial and surgical management.

Option by option

  • A. Normal implant settling

    Normal recovery should not cause fever and escalating inflammatory signs.

  • B. Osteoporosis only

    Osteoporosis does not cause acute joint infection features.

  • C. Simple muscle soreness

    Muscle soreness does not explain a hot effusion and systemic features.

  • D. Prosthetic joint infection (correct)

    Correct. New inflammatory signs around an arthroplasty are concerning for infection.

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, Prosthetic joint infection. Prosthetic joint infection may present acutely with pain, warmth, effusion, systemic symptoms, and raised inflammatory markers.

Why is "Normal implant settling" not the answer?

Normal recovery should not cause fever and escalating inflammatory signs.

Why is "Osteoporosis only" not the answer?

Osteoporosis does not cause acute joint infection features.

Why is "Simple muscle soreness" not the answer?

Muscle soreness does not explain a hot effusion and systemic features.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Arthroplasty: prosthetic joint infection in Orthopaedics. It requires urgent orthopedic assessment, appropriate cultures, and coordinated antimicrobial and surgical management.

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 Arthroplasty: prosthetic joint infection?

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.