Dislocations: greater arc carpal injury: 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 · Dislocations: greater arc carpal injury

Sample item

A motorcyclist has a perilunate dislocation with a fracture through the scaphoid waist. What is the term for this injury and how is it classified?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation, a greater arc injury

Greater arc injuries pass through the bones around the lunate, such as the scaphoid, capitate and triquetrum, and the trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation is the commonest. Lesser arc injuries pass through the ligaments around the lunate. Treatment is urgent reduction and fixation, often with open repair.

Option by option

  • A. Trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation, a greater arc injury (correct)

    Correct. A fracture through the scaphoid with perilunate dislocation is a greater arc injury.

  • B. Scapholunate dissociation alone

    Scapholunate dissociation is a ligament injury without perilunate dislocation.

  • C. Lesser arc injury with pure ligament disruption

    Lesser arc injuries involve ligaments only and no fracture.

  • D. Barton fracture-dislocation

    Barton fracture involves the distal radius articular margin.

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 A, Trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation, a greater arc injury. Greater arc injuries pass through the bones around the lunate, such as the scaphoid, capitate and triquetrum, and the trans-scaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocation is the commonest.

Why is "Scapholunate dissociation alone" not the answer?

Scapholunate dissociation is a ligament injury without perilunate dislocation.

Why is "Lesser arc injury with pure ligament disruption" not the answer?

Lesser arc injuries involve ligaments only and no fracture.

Why is "Barton fracture-dislocation" not the answer?

Barton fracture involves the distal radius articular margin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dislocations: greater arc carpal injury in Orthopaedics. Lesser arc injuries pass through the ligaments around the lunate. Treatment is urgent reduction and fixation, often with open repair.

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 Dislocations: greater arc carpal injury?

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.