Fractures and dislocations: complications: 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 · Fractures and dislocations: complications

Sample item

A 35-year-old farmer has an open fracture of the tibia with a 10 cm wound, extensive soft tissue loss and exposed bone needing a muscle flap for cover. What is the Gustilo type?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Type IIIB

Type III open fractures have extensive soft tissue damage, and IIIB means periosteal stripping and bone exposure needing flap cover. IIIA has adequate soft tissue cover, and IIIC has an arterial injury needing repair.

Option by option

  • A. Type I

    Type I is a clean wound under 1 cm.

  • B. Type II

    Type II is a wound over 1 cm without extensive soft tissue damage.

  • C. Type IIIA

    Type IIIA has adequate soft tissue coverage despite extensive laceration.

  • D. Type IIIB (correct)

    Correct. Soft tissue loss requiring a flap for cover is type IIIB.

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 D, Type IIIB. Type III open fractures have extensive soft tissue damage, and IIIB means periosteal stripping and bone exposure needing flap cover.

Why is "Type I" not the answer?

Type I is a clean wound under 1 cm.

Why is "Type II" not the answer?

Type II is a wound over 1 cm without extensive soft tissue damage.

Why is "Type IIIA" not the answer?

Type IIIA has adequate soft tissue coverage despite extensive laceration.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fractures and dislocations: complications in Orthopaedics. IIIA has adequate soft tissue cover, and IIIC has an arterial injury needing repair.

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 Fractures and dislocations: complications?

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.