Metabolic bone disease: 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 disease: fluorosis

Sample item

A man from an area with high groundwater fluoride has stiff back, osteosclerosis and calcified spinal ligaments with a normal calcium. Which pathology explains the bone changes?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Increased osteoblastic activity with osteosclerosis

Chronic fluoride stimulates osteoblasts, producing dense, brittle bone and calcified ligaments, with a sclerotic spine and deformities. Dental mottling is an associated feature.

Option by option

  • A. Increased osteoblastic activity with osteosclerosis (correct)

    Correct. Fluoride stimulates osteoblasts and causes osteosclerosis.

  • B. Increased osteoclastic resorption of bone

    Increased osteoclastic resorption describes hyperparathyroidism.

  • C. Failure of osteoclast function

    Failure of osteoclast function describes osteopetrosis.

  • D. Defective mineralisation of osteoid

    Defective mineralisation of osteoid describes osteomalacia and rickets.

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, Increased osteoblastic activity with osteosclerosis. Chronic fluoride stimulates osteoblasts, producing dense, brittle bone and calcified ligaments, with a sclerotic spine and deformities.

Why is "Increased osteoclastic resorption of bone" not the answer?

Increased osteoclastic resorption describes hyperparathyroidism.

Why is "Failure of osteoclast function" not the answer?

Failure of osteoclast function describes osteopetrosis.

Why is "Defective mineralisation of osteoid" not the answer?

Defective mineralisation of osteoid describes osteomalacia and rickets.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Metabolic bone disease: fluorosis in Orthopaedics. Dental mottling is an associated feature.

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 disease: 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.