Paediatric: Pavlik harness: 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: Pavlik harness

Sample item

A 6-week-old infant has a reducible dislocated hip. What is the initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pavlik harness maintaining flexion and abduction

A Pavlik harness holds the hips in flexion and abduction and allows the head to settle into the socket. It is effective in infants under 6 months, and complications include femoral nerve palsy and avascular necrosis if hips are forced into extreme abduction.

Option by option

  • A. Pavlik harness maintaining flexion and abduction (correct)

    Correct. A Pavlik harness is first-line under 6 months.

  • B. Triple innominate osteotomy

    Pelvic osteotomies are used in older children.

  • C. Open reduction and femoral osteotomy

    Surgery is reserved for failed conservative treatment.

  • D. Observation until walking age

    Waiting allows the deformity to worsen.

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, Pavlik harness maintaining flexion and abduction. A Pavlik harness holds the hips in flexion and abduction and allows the head to settle into the socket.

Why is "Triple innominate osteotomy" not the answer?

Pelvic osteotomies are used in older children.

Why is "Open reduction and femoral osteotomy" not the answer?

Surgery is reserved for failed conservative treatment.

Why is "Observation until walking age" not the answer?

Waiting allows the deformity to worsen.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric: Pavlik harness in Orthopaedics. It is effective in infants under 6 months, and complications include femoral nerve palsy and avascular necrosis if hips are forced into extreme abduction.

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: Pavlik harness?

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.