Fracture complications: complex regional pain syndrome: 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 · Fracture complications: complex regional pain syndrome

Sample item

Six weeks after a distal radius fracture a woman has burning pain, swelling, shiny skin and stiff fingers disproportionate to the injury. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Complex regional pain syndrome (Sudeck atrophy)

Complex regional pain syndrome causes pain out of proportion, vasomotor and sudomotor changes, trophic skin changes and stiffness after trauma. Radiographs show patchy osteopenia, and treatment includes physiotherapy, analgesia and vitamin C prophylaxis.

Option by option

  • A. Compartment syndrome

    Compartment syndrome occurs early after injury with pain on passive stretch.

  • B. Complex regional pain syndrome (Sudeck atrophy) (correct)

    Correct. Disproportionate pain with trophic changes after fracture is CRPS.

  • C. Malunion of the radius

    Malunion alone does not cause trophic skin changes.

  • D. Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Carpal tunnel syndrome causes median nerve symptoms without trophic skin changes.

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 B, Complex regional pain syndrome (Sudeck atrophy). Complex regional pain syndrome causes pain out of proportion, vasomotor and sudomotor changes, trophic skin changes and stiffness after trauma.

Why is "Compartment syndrome" not the answer?

Compartment syndrome occurs early after injury with pain on passive stretch.

Why is "Malunion of the radius" not the answer?

Malunion alone does not cause trophic skin changes.

Why is "Carpal tunnel syndrome" not the answer?

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes median nerve symptoms without trophic skin changes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fracture complications: complex regional pain syndrome in Orthopaedics. Radiographs show patchy osteopenia, and treatment includes physiotherapy, analgesia and vitamin C prophylaxis.

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 Fracture complications: complex regional pain syndrome?

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.