Dislocations: patellar 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 · Dislocations: patellar dislocation

Sample item

A teenage girl twists her knee and the patella dislocates laterally. Which structure is characteristically torn?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Medial patellofemoral ligament

Lateral patellar dislocation tears the medial patellofemoral ligament, the main restraint to lateral translation in early flexion. Risk factors include trochlear dysplasia, patella alta and generalised ligament laxity, and a positive apprehension test follows.

Option by option

  • A. Medial patellofemoral ligament (correct)

    Correct. The medial patellofemoral ligament is the usual torn structure.

  • B. Posterior cruciate ligament

    The PCL is not primarily involved.

  • C. Lateral patellar retinaculum

    The lateral retinaculum is tight, not torn.

  • D. Anterior cruciate ligament

    The ACL is not primarily involved.

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.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Medial patellofemoral ligament. Lateral patellar dislocation tears the medial patellofemoral ligament, the main restraint to lateral translation in early flexion.

Why is "Posterior cruciate ligament" not the answer?

The PCL is not primarily involved.

Why is "Lateral patellar retinaculum" not the answer?

The lateral retinaculum is tight, not torn.

Why is "Anterior cruciate ligament" not the answer?

The ACL is not primarily involved.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dislocations: patellar dislocation in Orthopaedics. Risk factors include trochlear dysplasia, patella alta and generalised ligament laxity, and a positive apprehension test follows.

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 Dislocations: patellar 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.