Musculoskeletal imaging: congenital talipes equinovarus: 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: congenital talipes equinovarus

Sample item

Anteroposterior radiographs of an infant with congenital clubfoot are examined. What is the typical relationship between the talus and calcaneus?

APosterior subluxation of the talus from the ankle mortiseBParallelism with a reduced talocalcaneal angleCFusion of the talus and calcaneusDWide divergence with an angle above 40 degrees

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Parallelism with a reduced talocalcaneal angle

In clubfoot the hindfoot varus brings the talus and calcaneus closer to parallel, so the normal divergence on the anteroposterior view is lost. Wide divergence is seen in a pes planovalgus, and fusion describes tarsal coalition.

Option by option

A. Posterior subluxation of the talus from the ankle mortise
Posterior talar subluxation is not a feature of clubfoot.
B. Parallelism with a reduced talocalcaneal angle (correct)
Correct. Loss of the normal talocalcaneal divergence is typical of clubfoot.
C. Fusion of the talus and calcaneus
Fusion of the hindfoot bones is tarsal coalition.
D. Wide divergence with an angle above 40 degrees
Wide divergence occurs in flat foot, not in clubfoot.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, Parallelism with a reduced talocalcaneal angle. In clubfoot the hindfoot varus brings the talus and calcaneus closer to parallel, so the normal divergence on the anteroposterior view is lost.

Why is "Posterior subluxation of the talus from the ankle mortise" not the answer?

Posterior talar subluxation is not a feature of clubfoot.

Why is "Fusion of the talus and calcaneus" not the answer?

Fusion of the hindfoot bones is tarsal coalition.

Why is "Wide divergence with an angle above 40 degrees" not the answer?

Wide divergence occurs in flat foot, not in clubfoot.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Musculoskeletal imaging: congenital talipes equinovarus in Radiology. Wide divergence is seen in a pes planovalgus, and fusion describes tarsal coalition.

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: congenital talipes equinovarus?

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.