Metabolic bone: skeletal fluorosis: 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 · Metabolic bone: skeletal fluorosis

Sample item

An adult from an area with high groundwater fluoride has stiffness of the spine, dense bones and ligament ossification, with genu valgum in children. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Skeletal fluorosis

Endemic skeletal fluorosis from fluoride in drinking water over 1.5 mg per litre causes osteosclerosis, calcification of ligaments and interosseous membranes, and stiffness. In children, fluorosis produces genu valgum and dental mottling. Prevention is by providing safe water.

Option by option

  • A. Osteomalacia

    Osteomalacia produces soft bones with Looser zones.

  • B. Ankylosing spondylitis

    Ankylosing spondylitis has sacroiliitis and is not related to water.

  • C. Skeletal fluorosis (correct)

    Correct. Chronic fluoride excess produces dense bones and ligament calcification.

  • D. Osteoporosis

    Osteoporosis causes bone thinning.

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 C, Skeletal fluorosis. Endemic skeletal fluorosis from fluoride in drinking water over 1.

Why is "Osteomalacia" not the answer?

Osteomalacia produces soft bones with Looser zones.

Why is "Ankylosing spondylitis" not the answer?

Ankylosing spondylitis has sacroiliitis and is not related to water.

Why is "Osteoporosis" not the answer?

Osteoporosis causes bone thinning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Metabolic bone: skeletal fluorosis in Orthopaedics. 5 mg per litre causes osteosclerosis, calcification of ligaments and interosseous membranes, and stiffness. In children, fluorosis produces genu valgum and dental mottling. Prevention is by providing safe water.

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 Metabolic bone: skeletal fluorosis?

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.