Fractures and dislocations: Morel-Lavallee lesion: 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 · Fractures and dislocations: Morel-Lavallee lesion

Sample item

After a pedestrian is run over by a car wheel, a large fluctuant swelling develops over the greater trochanter. The overlying skin is numb and hypermobile, and aspiration yields serosanguinous fluid. What is the lesion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Morel-Lavallee lesion

A Morel-Lavallee lesion is a closed degloving injury in which the subcutaneous fat is sheared off the underlying fascia, leaving a fluid-filled space containing blood, lymph and fat. It is common over the greater trochanter and may be missed or become infected. Large or persistent lesions need debridement or sclerosant treatment rather than repeated aspiration.

Option by option

  • A. Morel-Lavallee lesion (correct)

    Correct. Shearing of the skin and fat off the fascia after a rolling crush injury gives a fluctuant, numb collection.

  • B. Myositis ossificans

    Myositis ossificans is a firm, ossifying mass within muscle that develops weeks after injury.

  • C. Pyomyositis

    Pyomyositis is a bacterial abscess within muscle with fever and induration, not a sterile serosanguinous collection.

  • D. Trochanteric bursitis

    Trochanteric bursitis is a chronic overuse pain syndrome without a fluctuant collection after high-energy 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, Morel-Lavallee lesion. A Morel-Lavallee lesion is a closed degloving injury in which the subcutaneous fat is sheared off the underlying fascia, leaving a fluid-filled space containing blood, lymph and fat.

Why is "Myositis ossificans" not the answer?

Myositis ossificans is a firm, ossifying mass within muscle that develops weeks after injury.

Why is "Pyomyositis" not the answer?

Pyomyositis is a bacterial abscess within muscle with fever and induration, not a sterile serosanguinous collection.

Why is "Trochanteric bursitis" not the answer?

Trochanteric bursitis is a chronic overuse pain syndrome without a fluctuant collection after high-energy trauma.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures and dislocations: Morel-Lavallee lesion in Orthopaedics. It is common over the greater trochanter and may be missed or become infected. Large or persistent lesions need debridement or sclerosant treatment rather than repeated aspiration.

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 Fractures and dislocations: Morel-Lavallee lesion?

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.