Hand injuries: jersey finger: 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 · Hand injuries: jersey finger

Sample item

A rugby player grips an opponent's shirt and the finger is pulled away. He cannot flex the distal interphalangeal joint of the ring finger. Which structure is injured?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Avulsion of flexor digitorum profundus from the distal phalanx

Jersey finger is avulsion of the FDP tendon from its insertion on the distal phalanx during forced extension of a flexed finger, most often in the ring finger. It needs early surgical repair.

Option by option

  • A. Avulsion of flexor digitorum profundus from the distal phalanx (correct)

    Correct. FDP avulsion causes loss of active DIP flexion.

  • B. Tear of the flexor digitorum superficialis at the A2 pulley

    FDS action at the PIP is intact with only the DIP affected.

  • C. Rupture of the volar plate of the PIP

    A volar plate injury affects PIP stability.

  • D. Rupture of the extensor digitorum terminal slip

    Extensor injury causes mallet finger, not loss of flexion.

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, Avulsion of flexor digitorum profundus from the distal phalanx. Jersey finger is avulsion of the FDP tendon from its insertion on the distal phalanx during forced extension of a flexed finger, most often in the ring finger.

Why is "Tear of the flexor digitorum superficialis at the A2 pulley" not the answer?

FDS action at the PIP is intact with only the DIP affected.

Why is "Rupture of the volar plate of the PIP" not the answer?

A volar plate injury affects PIP stability.

Why is "Rupture of the extensor digitorum terminal slip" not the answer?

Extensor injury causes mallet finger, not loss of flexion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hand injuries: jersey finger in Orthopaedics. It needs early surgical repair.

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 Hand injuries: jersey finger?

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.