Paediatric: Scheuermann disease: 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 · Paediatric: Scheuermann disease

Sample item

A 15-year-old has a rigid thoracic kyphosis. A lateral radiograph shows anterior wedging of at least 5 degrees in three or more consecutive vertebrae with endplate irregularity. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Scheuermann disease

Scheuermann disease is a structural thoracic kyphosis with vertebral wedging and Schmorl nodes that does not correct on hyperextension. Postural kyphosis is flexible and corrects. Bracing is used for progressing curves, and surgery for severe ones.

Option by option

  • A. Scheuermann disease (correct)

    Correct. Wedging of at least 5 degrees over 3 vertebrae defines Scheuermann disease.

  • B. Ankylosing spondylitis

    Ankylosing spondylitis shows squaring of the vertebrae and sacroiliitis.

  • C. Postural kyphosis

    Postural kyphosis shows no wedging and is flexible.

  • D. Pott disease

    Pott disease shows vertebral destruction and a gibbus.

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, Scheuermann disease. Scheuermann disease is a structural thoracic kyphosis with vertebral wedging and Schmorl nodes that does not correct on hyperextension.

Why is "Ankylosing spondylitis" not the answer?

Ankylosing spondylitis shows squaring of the vertebrae and sacroiliitis.

Why is "Postural kyphosis" not the answer?

Postural kyphosis shows no wedging and is flexible.

Why is "Pott disease" not the answer?

Pott disease shows vertebral destruction and a gibbus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric: Scheuermann disease in Orthopaedics. Postural kyphosis is flexible and corrects. Bracing is used for progressing curves, and surgery for severe ones.

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 Paediatric: Scheuermann disease?

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.