Paediatric orthopaedics: 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 · Paediatric orthopaedics

Sample item

A newborn has a rigid foot with the heel in equinus and varus, forefoot adduction and a high arch. What is the recommended first-line treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Serial manipulation and casting by the Ponseti method

Idiopathic clubfoot (talipes equinovarus) has the components cavus, adductus, varus and equinus. Ponseti serial manipulation and casting, often followed by percutaneous Achilles tenotomy and then bracing, corrects most feet without major surgery.

Option by option

  • A. Posteromedial soft tissue release in the first week

    Extensive release is reserved for resistant feet after conservative treatment fails.

  • B. Triple arthrodesis

    Triple arthrodesis is a salvage procedure for severe deformity in older children or adults.

  • C. Serial manipulation and casting by the Ponseti method (correct)

    Gentle weekly manipulation and casting corrects the deformity early while the tissues are pliable.

  • D. Observation until the child begins to walk

    Waiting allows the deformity to become fixed and harder to correct.

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, Serial manipulation and casting by the Ponseti method. Idiopathic clubfoot (talipes equinovarus) has the components cavus, adductus, varus and equinus.

Why is "Posteromedial soft tissue release in the first week" not the answer?

Extensive release is reserved for resistant feet after conservative treatment fails.

Why is "Triple arthrodesis" not the answer?

Triple arthrodesis is a salvage procedure for severe deformity in older children or adults.

Why is "Observation until the child begins to walk" not the answer?

Waiting allows the deformity to become fixed and harder to correct.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric orthopaedics in Orthopaedics. Ponseti serial manipulation and casting, often followed by percutaneous Achilles tenotomy and then bracing, corrects most feet without major surgery.

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 Paediatric orthopaedics?

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.