Spine: cervical disc prolapse: 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: cervical disc prolapse

Sample item

A man has neck pain radiating to the middle finger with weakness of elbow extension and a diminished triceps reflex. Which disc level and root is most likely compressed?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. C6-C7 disc compressing the C7 root

The C7 root is compressed by a C6-C7 disc prolapse, the commonest cervical disc level. It causes triceps weakness and reflex loss with paraesthesia of the middle finger. C6 compression affects biceps and the thumb, while C8 affects the little finger.

Option by option

  • A. C6-C7 disc compressing the C7 root (correct)

    Correct. C7 radiculopathy produces triceps weakness and middle finger symptoms.

  • B. C5-C6 disc compressing the C6 root

    C6 root compression gives biceps and brachioradialis weakness, with thumb symptoms.

  • C. C7-T1 disc compressing the T1 root

    T1 root compression affects the small hand muscles and medial forearm.

  • D. C4-C5 disc compressing the C5 root

    C5 root compression affects the deltoid and biceps reflex.

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, C6-C7 disc compressing the C7 root. The C7 root is compressed by a C6-C7 disc prolapse, the commonest cervical disc level.

Why is "C5-C6 disc compressing the C6 root" not the answer?

C6 root compression gives biceps and brachioradialis weakness, with thumb symptoms.

Why is "C7-T1 disc compressing the T1 root" not the answer?

T1 root compression affects the small hand muscles and medial forearm.

Why is "C4-C5 disc compressing the C5 root" not the answer?

C5 root compression affects the deltoid and biceps reflex.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: cervical disc prolapse in Orthopaedics. It causes triceps weakness and reflex loss with paraesthesia of the middle finger. C6 compression affects biceps and the thumb, while C8 affects the little finger.

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: cervical disc prolapse?

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.