Spine: osteoporotic vertebral fracture: 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 · Spine: osteoporotic vertebral fracture

Sample item

An elderly woman has persistent severe pain from an osteoporotic compression fracture despite 6 weeks of analgesia, and has no neurological deficit. Which procedure may be considered?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty

Percutaneous injection of bone cement into the fractured vertebral body (vertebroplasty) or after balloon expansion (kyphoplasty) can relieve pain in selected painful osteoporotic compression fractures unresponsive to conservative treatment. Treatment of the underlying osteoporosis is also essential.

Option by option

  • A. Total spinal fusion

    Extensive fusion is not required.

  • B. Traction

    Traction has no role.

  • C. Laminectomy of the level

    Laminectomy is for canal stenosis, not for fracture pain.

  • D. Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (correct)

    Correct. Cement augmentation may relieve pain in selected cases.

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 D, Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Percutaneous injection of bone cement into the fractured vertebral body (vertebroplasty) or after balloon expansion (kyphoplasty) can relieve pain in selected painful osteoporotic compression fractures unresponsive to conservative treatment.

Why is "Total spinal fusion" not the answer?

Extensive fusion is not required.

Why is "Traction" not the answer?

Traction has no role.

Why is "Laminectomy of the level" not the answer?

Laminectomy is for canal stenosis, not for fracture pain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: osteoporotic vertebral fracture in Orthopaedics. Treatment of the underlying osteoporosis is also essential.

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 Spine: osteoporotic vertebral fracture?

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.