Hand infections: felon: 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.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Hand infections: felon

Sample item

A gardener has a throbbing, very tense swelling of the index fingertip pulp after a thorn prick. What is the main reason this infection can lead to osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Fibrous septa divide the pulp into closed compartments, so pressure rises and compromises the phalanx blood supply

A felon is an infection of the distal pulp space, which is divided by fibrous septa into tight compartments. Rising pressure causes ischaemia and can lead to osteomyelitis or necrosis of the distal phalanx. Early incision and drainage through a lateral longitudinal incision is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. The nail bed communicates with the medullary canal

    The nail bed does not communicate with the medullary canal.

  • B. Fibrous septa divide the pulp into closed compartments, so pressure rises and compromises the phalanx blood supply (correct)

    Correct. Pressure inside closed septate compartments threatens the bone and soft tissue.

  • C. The flexor sheath ends at the pulp

    The flexor sheath does not end at the pulp, and this is not the reason for complications.

  • D. The pulp has no blood supply

    The pulp has a rich vascular supply, which is why infection is so painful.

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 B, Fibrous septa divide the pulp into closed compartments, so pressure rises and compromises the phalanx blood supply. A felon is an infection of the distal pulp space, which is divided by fibrous septa into tight compartments.

Why is "The nail bed communicates with the medullary canal" not the answer?

The nail bed does not communicate with the medullary canal.

Why is "The flexor sheath ends at the pulp" not the answer?

The flexor sheath does not end at the pulp, and this is not the reason for complications.

Why is "The pulp has no blood supply" not the answer?

The pulp has a rich vascular supply, which is why infection is so painful.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hand infections: felon in Orthopaedics. Rising pressure causes ischaemia and can lead to osteomyelitis or necrosis of the distal phalanx. Early incision and drainage through a lateral longitudinal incision is the treatment.

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 Hand infections: felon?

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.