Nerve injuries: sciatic nerve in hip dislocation: 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 · Nerve injuries: sciatic nerve in hip dislocation

Sample item

After a posterior hip dislocation, a patient has foot drop. Which part of the sciatic nerve is more susceptible to injury?

AThe sural nerve onlyBThe common peroneal divisionCBoth divisions equallyDThe tibial division

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. The common peroneal division

The peroneal division of the sciatic nerve is lateral, has fewer larger fascicles with less connective tissue support, and is tethered at the fibular neck and sciatic notch, so it is more often damaged. Recovery is often incomplete.

Option by option

A. The sural nerve only
The sural nerve is a distal branch and is not primarily affected.
B. The common peroneal division (correct)
Correct. The peroneal division is more vulnerable.
C. Both divisions equally
The injury is not equally distributed.
D. The tibial division
The tibial division is more protected and less often affected.

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.

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, The common peroneal division. The peroneal division of the sciatic nerve is lateral, has fewer larger fascicles with less connective tissue support, and is tethered at the fibular neck and sciatic notch, so it is more often damaged.

Why is "The sural nerve only" not the answer?

The sural nerve is a distal branch and is not primarily affected.

Why is "Both divisions equally" not the answer?

The injury is not equally distributed.

Why is "The tibial division" not the answer?

The tibial division is more protected and less often affected.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: sciatic nerve in hip dislocation in Orthopaedics. Recovery is often incomplete.

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 Nerve injuries: sciatic nerve in hip dislocation?

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.