Musculoskeletal radiology: slipped capital femoral epiphysis: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Musculoskeletal radiology: slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Sample item

An overweight adolescent has hip pain referred to the knee, and the affected leg is externally rotated. Which radiographic diagnosis must be considered urgently?

ADevelopmental dysplasia of the hipBSlipped capital femoral epiphysisCAcute tibial fractureDPerthes disease only

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is displacement through the proximal femoral growth plate in adolescents and requires urgent orthopaedic management to limit further slip and avascular necrosis.

Option by option

A. Developmental dysplasia of the hip
DDH is principally an infant hip disorder.
B. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (correct)
Correct. The age, referred knee pain and external rotation are classic clues.
C. Acute tibial fracture
A tibial fracture does not explain the hip examination pattern.
D. Perthes disease only
Perthes disease usually affects younger children and causes femoral-head osteonecrosis.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is displacement through the proximal femoral growth plate in adolescents and requires urgent orthopaedic management to limit further slip and avascular necrosis.

Why is "Developmental dysplasia of the hip" not the answer?

DDH is principally an infant hip disorder.

Why is "Acute tibial fracture" not the answer?

A tibial fracture does not explain the hip examination pattern.

Why is "Perthes disease only" not the answer?

Perthes disease usually affects younger children and causes femoral-head osteonecrosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal radiology: slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct. The age, referred knee pain and external rotation are classic clues.

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 Musculoskeletal radiology: slipped capital femoral epiphysis?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.