Knee trauma: septic arthritis: 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 · Knee trauma: septic arthritis

Sample item

A child has fever, refuses to bear weight, and has a hot painful swollen knee with restricted passive motion. What is the priority?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Urgent evaluation for septic arthritis and joint drainage if confirmed

Septic arthritis can rapidly destroy cartilage and cause sepsis. Urgent aspiration, microbiology, antimicrobial treatment, and orthopedic drainage when indicated are required.

Option by option

  • A. Treat as a minor sprain

    A simple sprain should not cause fever and painful passive restriction.

  • B. Start physiotherapy only

    Physiotherapy cannot treat joint sepsis.

  • C. Wait for symptoms to settle over a week

    Delay risks irreversible cartilage damage.

  • D. Urgent evaluation for septic arthritis and joint drainage if confirmed (correct)

    Correct. A hot non-weight-bearing joint with fever is an orthopedic emergency.

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 D, Urgent evaluation for septic arthritis and joint drainage if confirmed. Septic arthritis can rapidly destroy cartilage and cause sepsis.

Why is "Treat as a minor sprain" not the answer?

A simple sprain should not cause fever and painful passive restriction.

Why is "Start physiotherapy only" not the answer?

Physiotherapy cannot treat joint sepsis.

Why is "Wait for symptoms to settle over a week" not the answer?

Delay risks irreversible cartilage damage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Knee trauma: septic arthritis in Orthopaedics. Urgent aspiration, microbiology, antimicrobial treatment, and orthopedic drainage when indicated are required.

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 Knee trauma: septic arthritis?

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.