Paediatric orthopaedics: atypical age in SCFE: 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 · Paediatric orthopaedics: atypical age in SCFE

Sample item

A 9-year-old thin boy presents with slipped capital femoral epiphysis. What further assessment is recommended?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Screening for endocrine and metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism

Typical SCFE occurs in obese adolescents around the pubertal growth spurt. A slip below about 10 years of age, in a thin child, or beyond mid-teens suggests an endocrine or metabolic cause such as hypothyroidism, growth hormone abnormalities or renal osteodystrophy. These need identification and correction.

Option by option

  • A. Screening for endocrine and metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism (correct)

    Correct. Atypical age and build call for endocrine and metabolic screening.

  • B. No further assessment as the slip is idiopathic

    Idiopathic slips occur in the typical adolescent population.

  • C. Genetic testing for achondroplasia only

    Achondroplasia is not the usual cause of a slip.

  • D. Bone scan for malignancy

    A bone scan is not the indicated test.

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, Screening for endocrine and metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism. Typical SCFE occurs in obese adolescents around the pubertal growth spurt.

Why is "No further assessment as the slip is idiopathic" not the answer?

Idiopathic slips occur in the typical adolescent population.

Why is "Genetic testing for achondroplasia only" not the answer?

Achondroplasia is not the usual cause of a slip.

Why is "Bone scan for malignancy" not the answer?

A bone scan is not the indicated test.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric orthopaedics: atypical age in SCFE in Orthopaedics. A slip below about 10 years of age, in a thin child, or beyond mid-teens suggests an endocrine or metabolic cause such as hypothyroidism, growth hormone abnormalities or renal osteodystrophy. These need identification and correction.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Paediatric orthopaedics: atypical age in SCFE?

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.