Fracture healing: primary bone healing: 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 · Fracture healing: primary bone healing

Sample item

Primary (direct) bone healing is seen when a fracture is fixed with which conditions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Anatomical reduction with absolute stability, healing by cutting cones across the gap

With rigid compression fixation and no gap, osteoclastic cutting cones cross the fracture and osteoblasts lay down lamellar bone, so there is no visible callus. Secondary healing with callus occurs when there is relative stability, as with casts, nails and external fixators.

Option by option

  • A. Intramedullary nailing with large callus

    Nailing gives relative stability and callus formation.

  • B. Anatomical reduction with absolute stability, healing by cutting cones across the gap (correct)

    Correct. Absolute stability allows direct healing by cutting cones without callus.

  • C. External fixation with a wide gap

    External fixation leads to callus, not primary union.

  • D. Casting with micromotion at the fracture

    Micromotion produces callus and secondary healing.

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 B, Anatomical reduction with absolute stability, healing by cutting cones across the gap. With rigid compression fixation and no gap, osteoclastic cutting cones cross the fracture and osteoblasts lay down lamellar bone, so there is no visible callus.

Why is "Intramedullary nailing with large callus" not the answer?

Nailing gives relative stability and callus formation.

Why is "External fixation with a wide gap" not the answer?

External fixation leads to callus, not primary union.

Why is "Casting with micromotion at the fracture" not the answer?

Micromotion produces callus and secondary healing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fracture healing: primary bone healing in Orthopaedics. Secondary healing with callus occurs when there is relative stability, as with casts, nails and external fixators.

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 Fracture healing: primary bone healing?

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.