Nerve injuries: tendon transfer for radial palsy: 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: tendon transfer for radial palsy

Sample item

In a radial nerve palsy that does not recover, which tendon transfer is commonly used to restore wrist extension?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis

In the standard transfer for radial palsy, pronator teres is transferred to ECRB for wrist extension, flexor carpi radialis or ulnaris to the extensor digitorum for finger extension, and palmaris longus to extensor pollicis longus for thumb extension. Donor muscle must have adequate strength.

Option by option

  • A. Pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis (correct)

    Correct. Pronator teres to ECRB restores wrist extension.

  • B. Flexor carpi radialis to extensor pollicis longus

    FCR is usually transferred to the finger extensors, with palmaris longus to the thumb.

  • C. Palmaris longus to extensor digitorum

    Palmaris longus is used for the thumb, not for the finger extensors.

  • D. Biceps to triceps

    Biceps to triceps is a different transfer for elbow extension.

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, Pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis. In the standard transfer for radial palsy, pronator teres is transferred to ECRB for wrist extension, flexor carpi radialis or ulnaris to the extensor digitorum for finger extension, and palmaris longus to extensor pollicis longus for thumb extension.

Why is "Flexor carpi radialis to extensor pollicis longus" not the answer?

FCR is usually transferred to the finger extensors, with palmaris longus to the thumb.

Why is "Palmaris longus to extensor digitorum" not the answer?

Palmaris longus is used for the thumb, not for the finger extensors.

Why is "Biceps to triceps" not the answer?

Biceps to triceps is a different transfer for elbow extension.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: tendon transfer for radial palsy in Orthopaedics. Donor muscle must have adequate strength.

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 Nerve injuries: tendon transfer for radial palsy?

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.