Orthopedic Board Review: 100 High-Yield MCQs - Mock Exam Set 1042 (ABOS, OITE, FRCS)

Key Takeaway
This page offers 100 high-yield orthopedic board review multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to help surgeons master their ABOS, OITE, and FRCS exams. Prepare effectively with this comprehensive practice set, covering trauma, spine, reconstruction, pediatrics, and sports medicine. Boost your knowledge and readiness now.
Comprehensive 100-Question Exam
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Question 1
Figure 7 shows the CT scan of a 22-year-old professional baseball pitcher who has had elbow pain for the past 6 months despite rest from throwing. Management should consist of

Explanation
Question 2
A 56-year-old woman has a painful mass on the bottom of her left foot, and orthotic management has failed to provide relief. Examination reveals that the mass is contiguous with the plantar fascia. An MRI scan shows a homogenous nodule within the plantar fascia. Resection of the tumor is shown in the clinical photograph in Figure 39. What type of cell is most likely responsible for the formation of this tumor?

Explanation
Question 3
In the upright standing position, approximately what percent of the vertical load is borne by the lumbar spine facet joints?

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Question 4
The afferent pain innervation of the L3-L4 facet joint arises from the medial branch nerve of
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Question 5
When conducted at near physiologic strain rates, tensile studies of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) have shown that the
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Question 6
A 66-year-old woman who previously underwent hemiarthroplasty 2 years ago for a fracture continues to have severe pain and loss of motion despite undergoing physical therapy. A radiograph is shown in Figure 2. What is the most likely reason that this patient has failed to improve her motion?

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Question 7
Figure 23 shows the radiograph of an elderly man who fell on his right arm. What is the most important determinate of a good outcome following this injury?

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Question 8
What additional percentage of energy expenditure above baseline is required for ambulation after an above-the-knee amputation?
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Question 9
A 45-year-old man sustains an acute closed posterolateral elbow dislocation. The elbow is reduced, and examination reveals that the elbow dislocates posteriorly at 35 degrees with the forearm placed in supination. What is the best course of action?

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Question 10
Which of the following articulation couplings shows the lowest coefficient of friction as tested in the laboratory?

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Question 11
Figures 35a through 35c show the clinical photograph and radiographs of a 15-year-old boy who stubbed his toe 1 day ago while walking barefoot in the yard. Management should consist of

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Question 12
What is the most frequent location of entrapment of the deep peroneal nerve?
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Question 13
A 13-year-old girl who is 2 years postmenarche has been referred for management of scoliosis. She denies any history of back pain. Radiographs show a right thoracic curve of 35 degrees. She has a Risser sign of 4 and a bone age of 15.5 years. Management should consist of
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Question 14
With the arm abducted 90 degrees and fully externally rotated, which of the following glenohumeral ligaments resists anterior translation of the humerus?
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Question 15
A 20-year-old man has a symptomatic lesion of fibrous dysplasia in the femoral neck. Management should consist of
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Question 16
In the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee, which of the following variables has the highest correlation with the development of arthritis?

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Question 17
Human tendons are made up primarily of what collagen type (~95%)?
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Question 18
A 45-year-old man has persistent hindfoot pain that is aggravated by weight-bearing activities. History reveals that he sustained a calcaneus fracture 2 years ago, and he underwent a subtalar fusion 1 year ago. Examination reveals tenderness in the sinus tarsi and across the transverse tarsal joint. A plain radiograph and a CT scan are shown in Figures 24a and 24b. A technetium Tc 99m bone scan reveals uptake at the subtalar joint and at the transverse tarsal joints. Management should now consist of

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Question 19
Which of the following is considered the treatment of choice for a 3-cm chondroblastoma of the distal femoral epiphysis with no intra-articular extension?
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Question 20
A patient undergoes an arthroscopic debridement for lateral epicondylitis. Postoperatively she reports pain and a sense of clicking of the elbow. Examination reveals apprehension to supination, load, and extension. What structure has been injured resulting in the clinical presentation?
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Question 21
In Figure 14, the primary fracture line in a calcaneal fracture is best depicted by which of the following schematics?

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Question 22
A 6-year-old African-American boy with sickle cell disease has had pain and limited use of his right arm for the past 3 days. History reveals that he sustained a humeral fracture approximately 3 years ago. A lateral radiograph is shown in Figure 25. Based on these findings, a presumptive diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis is made. What are the two most likely organisms?

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Question 23
An active 36-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis has continued forefoot discomfort despite the use of orthotics and shoe wear modifications. A radiograph and a clinical photograph are shown in Figures 26a and 26b. Treatment at this point should consist of

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Question 24
A 50-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma has right hip pain. A radiograph and CT scan are shown in Figures 48a and 48b. The first step in management should consist of

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Question 25
A 40-year-old patient who has a type II odontoid fracture is placed in a halo vest for 12 weeks; however, current radiographs show no evidence of healing. The next most appropriate step in management should consist of

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Question 26
As reflected by the SF-36 scores, patients with which of the following conditions demonstrate the most disability in physical function?

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Question 27
Progressive paralysis is most likely to be seen in association with what type of congenital vertebral abnormality?
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Question 28
In addition to pain, which of the following factors are considered most predictive of the risk of pathologic fracture?
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Question 29
Which of the following ligaments is most commonly involved in posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow?

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Question 30
Nutritional rickets is associated with which of the following changes in chemical blood level?
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Question 31
A 6-year-old girl has the bilateral foot deformity shown in Figure 1. There is no family history of disease. Examination reveals fixed hindfoot equinus, and muscle function testing shows strong posterior tibial function, fair plus anterior tibial function, poor peroneal function, and strong gastrocnemius function. A Coleman block test shows a correctable hindfoot. Nerve conduction velocity studies show diminished function in the peroneal and ulnar nerves on both sides. Pathologic changes found in a sural nerve biopsy include "onion bulb" formation, and DNA testing confirms the presence of a mutation in the MPZ gene, consistent with hereditary motor sensory neuropathy type III (HMSN-III). What is the best course of action?

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Question 32
A newborn with bilateral talipes equinovarus undergoes serial manipulation and casting. What is the primary goal of manipulation?

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Question 33
A 70-year-old golfer has pain in her dominant shoulder. She reports that initially the pain was at night but now she is unable to play. Examination reveals weakness in external rotation and shoulder abduction. Radiographs reveal the humeral head articulating with a thin acromion. Management should consist of

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Question 34
During C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation, screw misplacement is most likely to result in injury to the
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Question 35
A 16-year-old girl has a painful foot mass. A radiograph, MRI scan, and biopsy specimens are shown in Figures 35a through 35d. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 36
Figures 21a through 21c show the MRI scans of a 21-year-old football player who sustained a valgus knee injury while changing direction. Examination reveals swelling and tenderness along the medial aspect of the knee. There is a positive Lachman test, 3+ valgus laxity at 30 degrees, and 1+ valgus laxity at 0 degrees extension. The anterior drawer test is increased with the tibia in external rotation. The increase in the anterior drawer test with the tibia in external rotation is most likely the result of

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Question 37
The use of posting (a wedge added to the medial or lateral side of an insole) is useful to balance forefoot or hindfoot malalignment. Assuming normal subtalar joint pronation, what is the maximum amount of recommended hindfoot posting?

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Question 38
Glenohumeral inferior stability in the adducted shoulder position is primarily a function of the
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Question 39
A 35-year-old patient has right hip pain. Figures 34a and 34b show the coronal MRI scan and the biopsy specimen. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 40 High Yield
A 36-year-old woman was injured in a train derailment. She has a significant open depressed skull fracture with active bleeding, a hemopneumothorax, and blood in the left upper quadrant and colic gutter by Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination. Additionally, she has the pelvic injury seen on the CT scans in Figures 18a and 18b. The mortality rate for this patient approaches

Detailed Explanation
Question 41
Atraumatic neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve usually occurs at what anatomic location?
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Question 42
What is the most common contracture deformity of the spastic shoulder secondary to a cerebrovascular accident?

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Question 43
A 65-year-old man has a painful mass of the middle finger. A clinical photograph, lateral radiograph, coronal MRI scan, and biopsy specimen are seen in Figures 20a through 20d. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 44
A 32-year-old man has a closed oblique displaced fracture at the junction of the lower and middle third of the humeral shaft and a complete radial nerve palsy. Closed reduction is performed and is felt to be acceptable. Management of the radial nerve palsy should consist of
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Question 45
Figure 7 shows a sagittal T1-weighted MRI scan. What muscle/tendon is identified by the arrow?

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Question 46
A 14-year-old girl has had mild pain and nail deformity of the great toe for the past 4 months. A radiograph is shown in Figure 50. What is the most likely etiology of the lesion?

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Question 47
The use of knee arthroscopy following total knee arthroplasty is most effective in treating which of the following conditions?
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Question 48
Figure 7 shows the radiograph of an otherwise healthy 65-year-old man who injured his right dominant shoulder while skiing 18 months ago. He did not seek treatment at the time of the injury. He now reports intermittent soreness when playing golf but has no other limitations. Examination reveals full range of motion and no tenderness, but he has slight pain with a crossed arm adduction stress test. He is neurologically intact. Initial management should consist of

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Question 49
What nerve is most at risk during placement of the anterolateral portal in elbow arthroscopy?
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Question 50
Based on the findings seen at C5-6 in Figure 30, the most likely deficit for this patient will be weakness of the

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Question 51
A 53-year-old man with a history of severe left hip pain has a significant limp that is the result of a 5-cm limb-length discrepancy. An AP radiograph is shown in Figure 48. The underlying etiology is most likely related to a history of

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Question 52
Examination of a 7-year-old girl with myelomeningocele reveals calcaneal deformities of both feet. She ambulates on both extremities wearing ankle-foot orthoses and has no upper extremity aids. She has grade 5/5 motor strength to the tibialis anterior muscles and absent motor strength to the triceps surae. There is no varus or valgus deformity of the hindfoot, and the skin over the heels is intact; however, mild callosities are present. Management should consist of
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Question 53
A 13-year-old girl was riding on an all-terrain vehicle when the driver struck a tree. She sustained the injury shown in Figures 45a through 45d. This injury is best described as what type of acetabular fracture pattern?

Explanation
Question 54
A 10-year-old boy who is active in soccer has had activity-related heel pain for the past 3 months. Examination reveals tenderness over the posterior heel and a tight Achilles tendon. Radiographs demonstrate a 2-cm cyst in the anterior body of the calcaneus. His physes have not closed. Based on these findings, what is the most appropriate management?

Explanation
Question 55
A 7-year-old patient has had a painless limp for several months. Examination reveals pain and spasm with internal rotation, and abduction is limited to 10 degrees on the involved side. Management consists of 1 week of bed rest and traction, followed by an arthrogram. A maximum abduction/internal rotation view is shown in Figure 40a, and abduction and adduction views are shown in Figures 40b and 40c. The studies are most consistent with

Explanation
Question 56
Figure 38a shows the radiograph of a 12-year-old boy who underwent a reamed intramedullary nailing for a closed femoral shaft fracture. One year after rod removal, he reports groin pain. A current radiograph is shown in Figure 38b. The findings are most likely the result of

Explanation
Question 57
What clinical finding is associated with the least favorable prognosis in an adolescent patient who has been diagnosed with a high-grade osteosarcoma of the distal femur?

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Question 58
An 18-year-old football player is injured after making a tackle with his left shoulder. He has decreased sensation over the lateral aspect of the left shoulder and radial aspect of the forearm. Motor examination reveals weakness to shoulder abduction and external rotation as well as elbow flexion. He has decreased reflexes of the biceps tendon on the left side but full, nontender range of motion of the cervical spine. What anatomic site has been injured?
Explanation
Question 59
Figure 1 shows the radiograph of a 68-year-old man who underwent revision hip arthroplasty with impaction grafting of the femur and cementing of a tapered component into the graft 2 years ago. The patient remains symptom-free. Which of the following best describes the most likely histologic appearance of the proximal femur if a biopsy was performed?

Explanation
Question 60
A 29-year-old woman who underwent an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction 6 months ago now reports difficulty achieving full knee extension, and physical therapy fails to provide relief. The knee is stable on ligament testing. Figure 3 shows the findings at a repeat arthroscopy. Treatment should now include

Explanation
Question 61
A 77-year-old woman who underwent total knee arthroplasty 16 years ago now reports pain, swelling, and notable crepitation with range of motion. AP, lateral, and Merchant radiographs are shown in Figures 54a through 54c. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Explanation
Question 62
An otherwise healthy 25-year-old man sustained a wound with a 1-cm by 1.5-cm soft-tissue loss over the volar aspect of the middle phalanx of his middle finger. After appropriate debridement and irrigation, the flexor digitorum profundus tendon and neurovascular bundles are visible. The wound should be treated with a

Explanation
Question 63
Torsional moments about the longitudinal axis of a total hip arthroplasty show what change during stair climbing compared with walking?
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Question 64
An 8-year-old girl sustained a displaced fracture at the base of the femoral neck in a motor vehicle accident. Management should consist of
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Question 65
A 17-year-old basketball player and pole vaulter who has had anterior knee pain for the past 18 months now reports a recent inability to jump. Based on the MRI scan shown in Figure 11, management should consist of

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Question 66
Spontaneous recovery of upper extremtiy motor function after a cerebrovascular accident occurs in which of the following predictable patterns?

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Question 67
What is the relative amount of type II collagen synthesis in disease-free adult articular cartilage compared to developing teenagers?
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Question 68
A 28-year-old man reports knee stiffness, swelling, and a constant ache that is worse with activity. Examination reveals an effusion, global tenderness, and warmth to the touch. Flexion is limited to 110 degrees. Figures 48a through 48d show sagittal T1-weighted, sagittal T2-weighted, axial T1-weighted fat-saturated gadolinium, and axial gradient echo MRI scans. Based on these findings, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Explanation
Question 69
What is the most common presentation of a benign bone tumor in childhood?

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Question 70
A 40-year-old woman has had sciatic pain on the left side for the past 8 weeks. She reports that the pain radiates to her posterior thigh, lateral calf, and into the dorsum of her left foot. Neurologic examination shows weakness of the left extensor hallucis longus. Axial T2-weighted MRI scans through L4-L5 are shown in Figure 14. Management should consist of

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Question 71
Which of the following is an important factor in performing a proper biopsy?

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Question 72
A 40-year-old man reports an enlarging soft-tissue mass in his right shoulder. Based on the MRI scan and biopsy specimens shown in Figures 40a through 40c, what is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 73
Which of the following variables has been shown to have the greatest influence on the higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in women when compared to men for similar sports?

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Question 74
A 35-year-old man is seen for evaluation of his left ankle following multiple previous ankle sprains and frequent episodes of the ankle giving way. Examination reveals marked laxity about the lateral ankle with associated tenderness along the peroneal tendons. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and supportive bracing have failed to provide relief. An MRI scan shows peroneal tenosynovitis and a possible tear. He elects to undergo a peroneal tendon repair and lateral ligament reconstruction. Which of the following best describes the structure labeled "A" in Figure 45?

Explanation
Question 75
A 21-year-old man has had right groin pain for the past year. A radiograph, CT scan, MRI scans, and a biopsy specimen are shown in Figures 50a through 50e. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Explanation
Question 76
Figure 2a shows the radiograph of a 48-year-old man who was involved in a motorcycle accident. A CT scan is shown in Figure 2b. The patient underwent pelvic angiography for persistent hypotension despite resuscitation. What vessel is most likely to be injured?

Explanation
Question 77
A 29-year-old man reports severe knee instability and popliteal pain. History reveals that he had polio of the left lower extremity as a child and has been brace-free his entire life. Examination reveals that he walks with 40 degrees of knee hyperextension and has a fixed ankle equinus deformity of 30 degrees. He has no active motors about the knee or ankle. Which of the following methods will provide knee stability and pain relief?
Explanation
Question 78
A 17-year-old girl who initially presented as a child with multiple skeletal lesions, café-au-lait spots, and precocious puberty now has bone pain. A recent bone scan reveals multiple areas of increased scintigraphic uptake, including bilateral proximal femurs. A radiograph is shown in Figure 19. Besides activity modification, what is the next best line of treatment for decreasing her pain?

Explanation
Question 79
A 15-year-old girl who plays high school basketball has had worsening forefoot pain and swelling that is aggravated by activity for the past 5 weeks. She denies any history of an injury. Examination reveals no deformities. A radiograph is shown in Figure 38. Initial management should consist of

Explanation
Question 80
Which of the following findings best describes the effects of increasing conformity of a fixed tibial bearing component and femoral component in total knee arthroplasty?
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Question 81
A 36-year-old recreational tennis player sustains the injury shown in Figure 16. Management should consist of

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Question 82
A 16-year-old girl has had pain and swelling along the medial arch of her left foot for the past 3 months. She also reports pain from shoe wear and while running. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have failed to provide relief. Radiographs are shown in Figures 40a through 40c. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

Explanation
Question 83
A 5-year-old boy has had pain in the right foot for the past month. Examination reveals tenderness and mild swelling in the region of the tarsal navicular. Radiographs are shown in Figure 30. Management should consist of

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Question 84
A 25-year-old man has chronic back pain that has been slowly worsening. He has no constitutional symptoms, and he denies any previous medical problems. Examination shows a tall lean build with no objective neurologic findings or skin lesions. Figure 32 shows a T2-weighted sagittal MRI scan. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Explanation
Question 85
A 35-year-old man sustained a 1-inch stab incision in his proximal forearm while trying to use a screwdriver 2 weeks ago. The laceration was routinely closed, and no problems about the incision site were noted. He now reports that he has been unable to straighten his fingers or thumb completely since the injury. Clinical photographs shown in Figures 30a and 30b show the man passively flexing the wrist. What is the most appropriate management?

Explanation
Question 86
An otherwise healthy 57-year-old woman has limited range of motion and moderate effusion after undergoing total knee arthroplasty 6 months ago. One of two cultures of joint aspirate reveals methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. Management should now consist of
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Question 87
Figure 35 shows the radiograph of a 35-year-old weightlifter who has had pain with overhead lifts for the past 7 months. Cortisone injections in the acromioclavicular joint provided only temporary relief. A bone scan reveals increased activity of the acromioclavicular joint. Treatment should now consist of

Explanation
Question 88
Figures 41a and 41b show the radiographs of a 22-year-old woman who has a bunion on her left foot. She denies pain in the foot, but she reports increasing difficulty with shoe wear. Management should consist of

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Question 89
Figure 43 shows an arthroscopic view of the posteromedial compartment of a patient's left knee using a 70-degree arthroscope placed through the intercondylar notch. The arrow is pointing to what structure?

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Question 90
Patients with patellar clunk syndrome are best managed by which of the following methods?

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Question 91
Which of the following long bone fracture patterns occurs after a pure bending force is exerted to the bone?
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Question 92
A 53-year-old man reports acute, severe left shoulder pain after undergoing abdominal surgery 10 days ago. Initial management, consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and a subacromial injection of corticosteroid, fails to provide relief. Reexamination of the shoulder 2 months after the onset of symptoms reveals atrophy of the infraspinous and supraspinous fossa and profound weakness of active abduction and external rotation. His neck is supple with a full range of motion. Plain radiographs and an MRI scan of the shoulder are normal. What diagnostic study should be performed next in the evaluation of this patient?
Explanation
Question 93
A 66-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a deep, nonhealing ulcer under the first metatarsal head and a necrotic tip of the great toe. He has been under the direction of a wound care clinic for 4 months, and has had orthotics and shoe wear changes. What objective findings are indicative of the patient's ability to heal the wound postoperatively?
Explanation
Question 94
An 18-year-old boy has had pain in the right knee for the past 6 months. Examination reveals some fullness behind the knee but no significant palpable soft-tissue mass. There is no effusion, and he has full knee range of motion. The remainder of the examination is unremarkable. A radiograph and MRI scans are shown in Figures 33a through 33c, and biopsy specimens are shown in Figures 33d and 33e. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Explanation
Question 95
Based on the type of articulation shown in Figure 32, wear is not affected by which of the following factors?

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Question 96
A patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis reports progressive hip pain. Serial hip radiographs will most likely show which of the following findings?
Explanation
Question 97
A 50-year-old laborer sustained an isolated closed injury to his heel after falling 11 feet off a wall. A radiograph and a CT scan are shown in Figures 4a and 4b. To minimize the patient's temporary disability and allow him to return to work most rapidly, management should consist of

Explanation
Question 98
What muscle is most often encountered during surgical approaches to C5-6?
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Question 99
An AP radiograph of the pelvis is shown in Figure 4. What muscle attaches to the avulsed fragment of bone identified by the arrow?

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Question 100
A 71-year-old woman undergoes a posterior lumbar decompression and fusion from L4-S1. Thirty-six hours after the procedure, she reports severe right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. Doppler ultrasound reveals a clot proximal to the knee within the femoral vein. A large pulmonary embolus is confirmed by CT angiography. The next most appropriate step in management should consist of

Explanation
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