Musculoskeletal imaging: pilon fracture: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Musculoskeletal imaging: pilon fracture

Sample item

A man falls from a height and lands on his feet. Radiographs show a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal tibial plafond. What is this fracture called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pilon fracture

A pilon fracture is a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal tibia caused by axial loading, with a poor outcome because of cartilage damage and soft tissue injury. A Jones fracture is at the base of the fifth metatarsal, a Maisonneuve fracture involves a proximal fibula, and Lisfranc is a tarsometatarsal injury.

Option by option

  • A. Pilon fracture (correct)

    Correct. Axial loading breaks the tibial plafond as a pilon fracture.

  • B. Lisfranc injury

    A Lisfranc injury is a tarsometatarsal fracture-dislocation.

  • C. Jones fracture

    A Jones fracture is at the base of the fifth metatarsal.

  • D. Maisonneuve fracture

    A Maisonneuve fracture combines a proximal fibular fracture with a syndesmotic injury.

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 Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Pilon fracture. A pilon fracture is a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal tibia caused by axial loading, with a poor outcome because of cartilage damage and soft tissue injury.

Why is "Lisfranc injury" not the answer?

A Lisfranc injury is a tarsometatarsal fracture-dislocation.

Why is "Jones fracture" not the answer?

A Jones fracture is at the base of the fifth metatarsal.

Why is "Maisonneuve fracture" not the answer?

A Maisonneuve fracture combines a proximal fibular fracture with a syndesmotic injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: pilon fracture in Radiology. A Jones fracture is at the base of the fifth metatarsal, a Maisonneuve fracture involves a proximal fibula, and Lisfranc is a tarsometatarsal injury.

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 Musculoskeletal imaging: pilon fracture?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.