Peripheral nerve injuries: ankle-foot orthosis in foot drop: 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 · Peripheral nerve injuries: ankle-foot orthosis in foot drop

Sample item

A patient has a persistent foot drop after a common peroneal nerve injury at the fibular neck, with no signs of recovery yet. What is the most useful measure while waiting?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. An ankle-foot orthosis to hold the ankle in neutral and prevent equinus

While a nerve is recovering or if recovery fails, an ankle-foot orthosis holds the foot at a right angle, lets the toes clear the floor and prevents a fixed equinus contracture. Persistent loss may later be treated with a tendon transfer such as tibialis posterior.

Option by option

  • A. A high-heeled shoe

    A raised heel promotes equinus and increases the deformity.

  • B. Amputation of the foot

    Amputation is never indicated for an isolated nerve palsy.

  • C. An ankle-foot orthosis to hold the ankle in neutral and prevent equinus (correct)

    Correct. An orthosis supports dorsiflexion and prevents contracture of the Achilles tendon.

  • D. Complete bed rest

    Bed rest would encourage contracture and does not help the nerve.

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 C, An ankle-foot orthosis to hold the ankle in neutral and prevent equinus. While a nerve is recovering or if recovery fails, an ankle-foot orthosis holds the foot at a right angle, lets the toes clear the floor and prevents a fixed equinus contracture.

Why is "A high-heeled shoe" not the answer?

A raised heel promotes equinus and increases the deformity.

Why is "Amputation of the foot" not the answer?

Amputation is never indicated for an isolated nerve palsy.

Why is "Complete bed rest" not the answer?

Bed rest would encourage contracture and does not help the nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peripheral nerve injuries: ankle-foot orthosis in foot drop in Orthopaedics. Persistent loss may later be treated with a tendon transfer such as tibialis posterior.

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 Peripheral nerve injuries: ankle-foot orthosis in foot drop?

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.