Techniques: high tibial osteotomy: 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 · Techniques: high tibial osteotomy

Sample item

A 45-year-old active man has isolated medial compartment knee osteoarthritis with varus alignment. Which procedure may delay arthroplasty?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. High tibial osteotomy

High tibial osteotomy shifts the mechanical axis to the lateral compartment, relieving the arthritic medial compartment, and is suited to young active patients with unicompartmental disease and good movement. Arthroplasty is reserved for older patients with more advanced disease.

Option by option

  • A. Total knee replacement at once

    Total replacement in a young active patient has high long-term revision risk.

  • B. High tibial osteotomy (correct)

    Correct. A valgus-producing osteotomy offloads the medial compartment.

  • C. Patellectomy

    Patellectomy does not address medial compartment disease.

  • D. Arthroscopic lavage only

    Lavage has no proven benefit in osteoarthritis.

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, High tibial osteotomy. High tibial osteotomy shifts the mechanical axis to the lateral compartment, relieving the arthritic medial compartment, and is suited to young active patients with unicompartmental disease and good movement.

Why is "Total knee replacement at once" not the answer?

Total replacement in a young active patient has high long-term revision risk.

Why is "Patellectomy" not the answer?

Patellectomy does not address medial compartment disease.

Why is "Arthroscopic lavage only" not the answer?

Lavage has no proven benefit in osteoarthritis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Techniques: high tibial osteotomy in Orthopaedics. Arthroplasty is reserved for older patients with more advanced disease.

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 Techniques: high tibial osteotomy?

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.