Fracture complications: myositis ossificans: 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: myositis ossificans

Sample item

After a severe elbow dislocation treated with vigorous passive stretching, a young man develops increasing stiffness and a hard mass in front of the elbow. Radiographs show a cloud of calcification weeks later. What is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Myositis ossificans of the brachialis

Myositis ossificans is heterotopic bone formation within muscle after trauma, commonly the brachialis after elbow injury. Passive stretching aggravates it, and treatment is rest and delayed excision once mature.

Option by option

  • A. Septic arthritis

    Septic arthritis causes fever and joint effusion.

  • B. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma lacks this injury relation and shows a different radiographic pattern.

  • C. Gout tophus

    A gouty tophus does not occur in muscle after injury.

  • D. Myositis ossificans of the brachialis (correct)

    Correct. Heterotopic ossification in the brachialis follows elbow injury and forceful stretching.

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, Myositis ossificans of the brachialis. Myositis ossificans is heterotopic bone formation within muscle after trauma, commonly the brachialis after elbow injury.

Why is "Septic arthritis" not the answer?

Septic arthritis causes fever and joint effusion.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma lacks this injury relation and shows a different radiographic pattern.

Why is "Gout tophus" not the answer?

A gouty tophus does not occur in muscle after injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fracture complications: myositis ossificans in Orthopaedics. Passive stretching aggravates it, and treatment is rest and delayed excision once mature.

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: myositis ossificans?

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.