Nerve injuries: tendon transfer prerequisites: 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 · Nerve injuries: tendon transfer prerequisites

Sample item

Before planning a tendon transfer for an irreparable nerve palsy, which condition must be met?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Supple joints, healed soft tissues and a donor muscle of adequate power that is expendable

Successful tendon transfers need passively supple joints, healthy soft tissue cover, an expendable donor with at least good power and a straight line of pull. One transfer generally restores one function. Contractures should be corrected first by splinting and therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Supple joints, healed soft tissues and a donor muscle of adequate power that is expendable (correct)

    Correct. Supple joints, healed tissue and a strong expendable donor are prerequisites.

  • B. A donor muscle with grade 1 power

    A donor muscle loses about one grade of power on transfer, so grade 1 power would be useless.

  • C. Fixed joint contractures that can be corrected by the transfer

    Fixed contractures must be corrected before, not by, a transfer.

  • D. A scarred, unhealed soft tissue bed

    Scarred, unhealed tissue gives poor gliding and will compromise the result.

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, Supple joints, healed soft tissues and a donor muscle of adequate power that is expendable. Successful tendon transfers need passively supple joints, healthy soft tissue cover, an expendable donor with at least good power and a straight line of pull.

Why is "A donor muscle with grade 1 power" not the answer?

A donor muscle loses about one grade of power on transfer, so grade 1 power would be useless.

Why is "Fixed joint contractures that can be corrected by the transfer" not the answer?

Fixed contractures must be corrected before, not by, a transfer.

Why is "A scarred, unhealed soft tissue bed" not the answer?

Scarred, unhealed tissue gives poor gliding and will compromise the result.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: tendon transfer prerequisites in Orthopaedics. One transfer generally restores one function. Contractures should be corrected first by splinting and therapy.

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 Nerve injuries: tendon transfer prerequisites?

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.