Nerve injuries: timing of repair: 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: timing of repair

Sample item

A forearm laceration from clean glass has completely divided the median nerve with no wound contamination. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Primary epineurial repair as soon as possible

Clean sharp transections should be repaired primarily, without tension, with microsurgical epineurial or fascicular repair. Delayed or secondary repair is reserved for contaminated wounds, crush injuries or where primary conditions are unsuitable.

Option by option

  • A. Repair only after skin has healed over 3 months

    Unnecessary delay worsens motor end plate degeneration.

  • B. Wait 6 months and observe

    Observation will not allow a divided nerve to heal.

  • C. Primary epineurial repair as soon as possible (correct)

    Correct. Primary repair is favoured for clean divisions.

  • D. Amputation

    Amputation is not indicated.

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 C, Primary epineurial repair as soon as possible. Clean sharp transections should be repaired primarily, without tension, with microsurgical epineurial or fascicular repair.

Why is "Repair only after skin has healed over 3 months" not the answer?

Unnecessary delay worsens motor end plate degeneration.

Why is "Wait 6 months and observe" not the answer?

Observation will not allow a divided nerve to heal.

Why is "Amputation" not the answer?

Amputation is not indicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: timing of repair in Orthopaedics. Delayed or secondary repair is reserved for contaminated wounds, crush injuries or where primary conditions are unsuitable.

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: timing of repair?

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.