Spine: burst fracture: 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 · Spine: burst fracture

Sample item

A man falls from a ladder and has severe back pain. CT of L1 shows a vertebral body fracture with retropulsion of fragments into the canal and he has lower limb weakness. Which column is characteristically involved that distinguishes it from a wedge fracture?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Middle column

A burst fracture involves failure of the anterior and middle columns under axial load, with posterior vertebral body fragments retropulsing into the canal. A wedge compression fracture involves only the anterior column. CT is the best imaging and surgery is considered with deficit or instability.

Option by option

  • A. Posterior column only

    Posterior-only failure is rare.

  • B. No column

    Fractures always involve some column.

  • C. Middle column (correct)

    Correct. Middle column failure with retropulsion defines a burst fracture.

  • D. Anterior column only

    Anterior-only failure is a wedge fracture.

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 C, Middle column. A burst fracture involves failure of the anterior and middle columns under axial load, with posterior vertebral body fragments retropulsing into the canal.

Why is "Posterior column only" not the answer?

Posterior-only failure is rare.

Why is "No column" not the answer?

Fractures always involve some column.

Why is "Anterior column only" not the answer?

Anterior-only failure is a wedge fracture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Spine: burst fracture in Orthopaedics. A wedge compression fracture involves only the anterior column. CT is the best imaging and surgery is considered with deficit or instability.

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 Spine: burst fracture?

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.