100 Orthopedic MCQs: Set 515 for ABOS, OITE & FRCS Boards

Key Takeaway
This page features 100 high-yield orthopedic surgery MCQs for ABOS, OITE, and FRCS board exams. Mock Exam Set 515 provides comprehensive practice across trauma, spine, sports, and arthroplasty. Surgeons can master these questions to excel in their board review.
Comprehensive 100-Question Exam
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Question 1
Joint contact pressure in normal or artificial joints can best be minimized by what mechanism?
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Question 2
What type of multiple lesions is associated with Maffucci's syndrome?
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Question 3
A 45-year-old woman who recently underwent biopsy of a lymph node in the right posterior cervical triangle now finds it difficult to hold objects overhead and has diffuse aching in the right shoulder region. What is the most likely diagnosis?
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Question 4
A 61-year-old man reports right hip pain and limited motion after undergoing total hip arthroplasty for posttraumatic arthritis 1 year ago. Figure 6 shows an AP radiograph of the pelvis. To improve motion and relieve pain, management should consist of

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Question 5
What is the recommended treatment of a skeletally immature 12-year-old boy who has an anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee?
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Question 6
Figures 14a and 14b show the initial radiographs of an 18-year-old man who fell while snowboarding. Figures 14c and 14d show the radiographs obtained following closed reduction. Examination reveals that the elbow is stable with range of motion. Management should now consist of

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Question 7
A 26-year-old man falls off a motorcycle and injures his left wrist. There are no open wounds and the neurovascular examination is normal. Radiographs are shown in Figures 10a and 10b. Definitive management should consist of

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Question 8
The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) originates from the
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Question 9
Figure 25 shows the CT scan of an adult patient who has neck pain following a motor vehicle accident. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 10
A 58-year-old man has had a 3-year history of recurrent ulcerations of the left ankle and instability despite multiple attempts at custom bracing, contact casting, and surgical debridement. He has an ankle-brachial index of 0.76. A clinical photograph and radiographs are shown in Figures 16a through 16c. Treatment should now consist of

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Question 11
Mutations of what gene are associated with the subsequent development of osteosarcoma?
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Question 12
Polyethylene wear of the bearing surface has been recognized as a mode of failure in total knee arthroplasty; therefore, many patients are offered polyethylene exchange. In terms of success rates, this surgical procedure has been reported to have a
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Question 13
A 58-year-old woman with a history of severe asthma and long-term prednisone use reports a progression of chronic shoulder pain for the past 6 months. Radiographs and MRI scans are shown in Figures 30a through 30d. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 14
Which of the following diagnostic studies best distinguishes Ewing's sarcoma from small cell osteosarcoma?

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Question 15
Figure 30 shows the MRI scan of a 68-year-old woman who has left hip pain. What is the most appropriate treatment?

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Question 16
A 13-year-old girl has had pain in her ankle and difficulty with sporting activities for the past 6 months. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and use of a short leg cast have provided minimal relief. A radiograph and MRI scan are shown in Figures 43a and 43b. What is the next most appropriate step in treatment?

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Question 17High Yield
A 30-year-old man falls off a 7-foot ladder and sustains the injury seen in the radiograph and the CT scan shown in Figures 39a and 39b. Medical history is negative. Management of this injury should include which of the following?

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Question 18
A 62-year-old man has cervical myelopathy with no evidence of cervical radiculopathy. MRI reveals stenosis at C4-5 and C5-6 with severe cord compression. Examination will most likely reveal which of the following findings?

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Question 19
An 11-year-old girl sustained an injury to her right foot when a 500-lb headstone fell on it. The headstone was removed after 3 minutes. Radiographs show multiple midfoot fractures. Examination reveals severe pain that is worse with passive toe motion. Clinical photographs are shown in Figure 28. Management should consist of

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Question 20
A 14-year-old girl reports a 3-week history of anterior thigh pain and a palpable mass after sustaining a soccer-related injury. Examination reveals a tender, firm mass in the midportion of the rectus femoris. MRI scans are shown in Figures 39a through 39c. What is the most appropriate management?

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Question 21
What is the main benefit of using metal-backed tibial components in total knee arthroplasty?

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Question 22
Figure 2 shows the AP radiograph of an 18-year-old woman with progressive and severe right hip pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs no longer control her pain. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

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Question 23
When converting the knee shown in Figure 20 to a total knee arthroplasty, satisfactory outcome can be expected in what percent of patients?

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Question 24
Examination of a 5-year-old boy with amyoplasia shows a flexion contracture of 70 degrees of the right knee. The active arc of motion is from 70 degrees to 90 degrees, and the opposite knee has a flexion contracture of 10 degrees. Both hips are dislocated with flexion contractures of 10 degrees, passive hip motion is from 10 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion, and the feet are plantigrade and easily braceable. Despite a daily stretching program, the parents and physical therapists note that it is increasingly difficult for him to walk because of the flexion contracture of the right knee. Management of the knee flexion contracture should now include
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Question 25
Which of the following methods most reliably detects mechanical loosening of the hip?
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Question 26
A 36-year-old man has a moderate-sized left paracentral L5-S1 disk herniation with compression of the S1 nerve. Examination will most likely reveal sensory changes at what location?
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Question 27
A 55-year-old woman has slowly increasing pain at the distal end of her little finger that is exacerbated by cold temperatures. She denies any history of trauma to her hands and is employed as a school teacher. The histology of the resected specimen is shown in Figure 71. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 28
Figure 20 shows the clinical photograph of a man who has had diabetes mellitus controlled with oral medication for the past 10 years. He wears soft-soled shoes and only uses leather-soled shoes for important business meetings. Examination reveals palpable dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses, although they are somewhat diminished. He is insensate to pressure with the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament. The ulcer heals after treatment with a full contact cast. What is the best course of action at this time?

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Question 29
Collagen orientation is parallel to the joint surface in what articular cartilage zone?
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Question 30
Figure 41 shows the MRI scan of a 39-year-old man who has severe left groin and anterior thigh pain. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 31
Metal-on-metal articulation has been reintroduced because of concern about polyethylene wear. This type of articulation is considered favorable because
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Question 32
A 12-year-old boy has severe left shoulder pain after being struck by an automobile. A chest radiograph, AP and lateral radiographs, and a CT scan with three-dimensional reconstruction of the scapula are shown in Figures 38a through 38d. Management should consist of

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Question 33
A 60-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis has atlanto-axial instability and basilar invagination. What MRI findings would suggest the need for cervical fusion?
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Question 34
A patient who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty 7 years ago that resulted in excellent pain relief and a normal gait now reports pain and a limp. Postoperative and current AP radiographs are shown in Figures 2a and 2b. What is the most likely cause of the pathology seen?

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Question 35
The posterior approach to the proximal radius uses what intermuscular interval?

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Question 36
Figure 16 shows the clinical photograph of a 3-month-old infant with a foot deformity that has been nonprogressive since birth. Examination reveals that the deformity corrects actively and with passive manipulation. There is no associated equinus. Management should consist of

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Question 37
Ulnohumeral distraction interposition arthroplasty is considered the most appropriate treatment for which of the following patients?

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Question 38
Figure 11a shows the clinical photograph of a 46-year old woman who reports a 3-week history of pain and a "lump" at the base of her neck. She is otherwise in good health and denies any trauma. A 3-D reconstruction CT is shown in Figure 11b. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 39
A 4-year-old boy with arthrogryposis has little active motion of his knees or elbows. Both elbows are in full extension with good triceps strength, but he is unable to bring his hand to his face or feed himself. Management should consist of
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Question 40
A 20-year-old professional baseball pitcher has had a 3-year history of increased aching in his shoulder that is associated with pitching, and he is now seeking a second opinion. Nonsurgical management consisting of rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, ice, heat, and cortisone injections has failed to provide relief. A previous work-up that included radiographs and gadolinium-enhanced MRI arthrography was negative. Results of an arteriogram suggest quadrilateral space syndrome. Assuming that this is the correct diagnosis, what nerve needs to be decompressed?

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Question 41
Figure 41a shows the AP radiograph of a 15-year-old boy who reports lateral knee pain. Figures 41b and 41c show a radiograph of the distal femur that was obtained 5 years ago and a current CT scan. The indication for surgery in this patient would be

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Question 42
A collegiate football player who sustained an injury to his neck has significant neck pain and weakness in his extremities. Following immobilization, which of the following steps should be taken prior to transport?
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Question 43
A study is designed that examines fractures in children with osteogenesis imperfecta after being treated with bisphosphonates compared with a placebo. A difference is found for which the P value is greater than what is considered to be statistically significant. What is the next appropriate statistical analysis?
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Question 44
A 7-year-old girl has had a painful forearm for the past 2 months. Examination reveals fullness on the volar aspect of the forearm. Radiographs and an MRI scan are shown in Figures 42a through 42c. Biopsy specimens are shown in Figures 42d and 42e. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 45
A 39-year-old competitive cyclist sustains an injury to her left hip in a fall. Gadolinium arthrography, with an accompanying MRI scan, is shown in Figure 31. A cleft, or defect, identified by the arrow, indicates a detachment of the

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Question 46
What type of cementless femoral fixation results in the highest rate of distal femoral osteolysis?

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Question 47
An active 49-year-old woman who sustained a diaphyseal fracture of the clavicle 8 months ago now reports persistent shoulder pain with daily activities. An AP radiograph is shown in Figure 8. Management should consist of

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Question 48
A 16-year-old female dancer has persistent posterior ankle pain, particularly after a vigorous dancing schedule. Examination reveals tenderness both posteromedially and posterolaterally. MRI scans are seen in Figures 44a and 44b. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 49
Figures 11a and 11b show the AP and lateral radiographs of a 32-year-old patient on hemodialysis who has increasing elbow pain and a visibly growing mass over the extensor surface. Figure 11c shows the photomicrograph of the biopsy specimen. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 50
A 35-year-old recreational basketball player reports shoulder pain following a sprawl for a rebound. While examination reveals that he can actively elevate the arm with pain, a subacromial injection fails to provide relief. An MRI scan reveals medial subluxation of the long head of the biceps. Which of the following structures most likely has also been injured?
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Question 51
Which of the following patients with cerebral palsy is considered the ideal candidate for a selective dorsal rhizotomy?
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Question 52
A 45-year-old man who sustains a medial subtalar dislocation while playing basketball undergoes immediate closed reduction. No fractures or osteochondral defects are noted on postreduction radiographs. The next most appropriate step in management should consist of

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Question 53
A 26-year-old man sustains a displaced bimalleolar fracture by sliding into second base while playing baseball. Following initial closed reduction and splinting of the fracture, moderate swelling is noted. What is the safest time to perform surgery?
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Question 54
A 21-year-old male construction worker fell from a roof and sustained an injury to his left foot. Radiographs and CT scans are shown in Figures 24a through 24e. Compared to nonsurgical management, surgical treatment offers which of the following advantages?

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Question 55
A 35-year-old laborer who sustained a forefoot injury 10 years ago has returned to work but reports a progressively painful deformity of the hallux and continued midfoot pain that is aggravated by weight-bearing activities. Shoe wear modifications have failed to provide relief. Direct palpation reveals no pain at the first metatarsocuneiform joint. A radiograph is shown in Figure 11. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

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Question 56
A 74-year-old man has had worsening left shoulder pain for the past 3 years. Extensive nonsurgical management has provided only minimal relief. Examination reveals limitations in motion due to pain but good rotator cuff strength. Radiographs are shown in Figures 53a and 53b. What surgical procedure is most appropriate?

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Question 57
What is the most likely late complication associated with cementless total knee replacement?
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Question 58
Examination of a 45-year-old man with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease reveals a cavus foot, a tight Achilles tendon, and forefoot callus formation. Radiographs reveal advanced degenerative changes in the hindfoot. Shoe wear modifications have failed to provide relief. Treatment should now consist of

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Question 59
A 55-year-old man sustained an isolated closed fracture of the humerus. Initial neurologic examination reveals no active wrist or finger extension. Radiographs are shown in Figures 28a and 28b. Management should consist of

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Question 60
Subluxation caused by rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly seen at what level of the cervical spine?

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Question 61
A patient with a 5-cm synovial sarcoma located in the distal portion of the rectus femoris muscle undergoes excision of the mass. The procedure is performed through a 10-cm longitudinal incision. Only a portion of the rectus femoris is removed; the vast majority of the muscle is preserved. The plane of dissection is beyond the reactive zone, and the pathology reveals that the margins are negative. This procedure is classified as

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Question 62
Decreased activity of which of the following proteins may be predictive of an aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma?
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Question 63
A 16-year-old boy has had a painful ingrown nail on his great toe for the past 3 months. When initial management consisting of soaking the foot in Epsom salts and trimming the nail failed to provide relief, his family physician recommended 2 weeks of oral antibiotics. His symptoms persist, and he is now seeking a second opinion. A clinical photograph is shown in Figure 18. Management should now consist of

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Question 64
A 73-year-old man who underwent repair of the left rotator cuff 6 years ago reports good pain relief but notes residual weakness of the left shoulder, especially with overhead tasks. He denies having pain at night and has minimal discomfort with activities of daily living but is dissatisfied with his shoulder strength. Radiographs show an acromiohumeral interval of 2 mm. Appropriate management should consist of

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Question 65
In children with isolated zone II lacerations of the flexor tendon, poor digital motion is best correlated with
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Question 66
Figure 14 shows the AP radiograph of a patient who underwent prosthetic arthroplasty 8 years ago and has now become symptomatic again over the past 18 months. A WBC count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are within normal limits, and aspiration of the glenohumeral joint yields a negative Gram stain and cultures. Which of the following procedures will most likely provide the best pain relief and function?

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Question 67
A 14-year-old girl has a painful hallux valgus deformity that has not responded to shoe modifications. Figure 21 shows a standing AP radiograph. What is the most appropriate surgical procedure?

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Question 68
Which of the following types of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has been associated with the poorest clinical performance?
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Question 69
A 53-year-old man has had a long history of multiple joint symptoms, and he notes that the worst pain is from his left shoulder. A radiograph and MRI scan are shown in Figures 13a and 13b. Prior to surgical treatment of the shoulder, what is the most appropriate work-up?

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Question 70
Which of the following drawbacks is associated with the Ganz periacetabular osteotomy?
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Question 71
In children between the ages of 4 and 8 years, the major blood supply to the femoral head comes from the

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Question 72
Figure 5 shows the radiograph of a 10-year-old girl who reports chronic shoulder pain after her gymnastics classes. Examination reveals pain on internal and external rotation but no instability. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 73
Which of the following tumors is most likely to present with a pathologic fracture in a child?

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Question 74
Figure 17 shows the radiograph of a 25-year-old professional football player who has superior shoulder pain that prevents him from sports participation. History reveals that he sustained a shoulder injury that was treated with closed reduction and temporary pinning 3 years ago. The best course of action should be

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Question 75
A 45-year-old woman has had progressive right shoulder pain for the past 6 months. She notes that the pain disrupts her sleep, she has pain at rest that requires the use of narcotic analgesics, and she has limited use of her left shoulder for most activities of daily living. History reveals the use of corticosteroids for systemic lupus erythematosus. Examination shows diminished range of motion. Radiographs of the right shoulder are shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Treatment should consist of

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Question 76
A 23-year-old baseball pitcher who has diffuse pain along the posterior deltoid reports pain during late acceleration and follow-through. Examination of his arc of motion from external rotation to internal rotation at 90 degrees of shoulder abduction reveals a significant deficit in internal rotation when compared to the nonthrowing shoulder. Initial management should consist of

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Question 77
One of the serious potential complications of repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures is limited pronation and supination as a result of synostosis. What surgical approach and technique presents the highest risk for development of this complication?

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Question 78
What is the dominant component of articular cartilage extracellular matrix by weight?

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Question 79
A 21-year-old professional baseball player has had painful catching and stiffness in his dominant right elbow for the past year. Examination reveals a flexion contracture of 2 degrees and mild pain with full elbow flexion. Radiographs are shown in Figures 33a and 33b. The most effective management should consist of

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Question 80
Figure 23 shows failure of the femoral stem in a patient. What is the most likely reason for the failure?

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Question 81
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 82
What is the most common problem seen following epiphysiodesis for limb-length discrepancy?

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Question 83
Compared to eumenorrheic athletes, amenorrheic athletes have more frequent occurrences of
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Question 84
What is the most likely type of pathology seen in Figure 16?

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Question 85
A woman injures the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of her thumb while skiing. Examination reveals tenderness along the ulnar aspect of the MCP joint. Radially directed stress of the joint in full extension produces 5 degrees of angulation. When the MCP joint is flexed 30 degrees, a radially directed stress produces 45 degrees of angulation. Radiographs are otherwise normal. Management should consist of
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Question 86
When compared with cobalt-chromium and stainless steel implants, a titanium implant has what biomechanical properties?

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Question 87
Figure 11a shows the AP pelvis radiograph of a 25-year-old man who sustained a spinal cord injury 10 years ago. A bone scan and a CT scan are shown in Figures 11b and 11c. To prevent recurrence after resection, management should consist of

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Question 88
An 18-year old man has a simple oblique fracture of the humeral shaft that requires surgical stabilization to maintain reduction and facilitate mobilization. Which of the following methods will provide the best outcome?

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Question 89
A 40-year-old man has had hip pain with increased activity over the past year. Examination reveals restriction of motion and tenderness with combined hip flexion, adduction, and internal rotation. An AP radiograph is shown in Figure 34. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Question 90
A 10-year-old boy reports a gradual onset of weakness; however, he is fully ambulatory. History reveals that he has a 17-year-old brother who has just stopped walking because of a similar condition. Laboratory studies show a creatine kinase level of 5,480 IU/L (normal 25 to 232 IU/L), and examination shows a slightly positive Gower sign. What is the most likely diagnosis?
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Question 91
Figure 43 shows an arthroscopic view of a right shoulder through a lateral portal in the beach chair position. The arrow is pointing to what structure?

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Question 92
Figures 25a and 25b show the radiographs of a 66-year-old man who has had a long history of bilateral painful flatfoot deformities. Examination reveals that his foot is partially correctable passively, albeit with discomfort, and he has an Achilles tendon contracture. An ankle-foot orthosis has failed to provide relief. Treatment should now consist of

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Question 93
What type of metastatic tumor most often has a lytic radiographic appearance?

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Question 94
A college basketball player is struck in the eye by a player's hand while driving to the basket. Fluorescein evaluation reveals the injury shown in Figure 18. Management should consist of

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Question 95
A 52-year-old man underwent arthroscopic repair of a 1-cm supraspinatus tendon tear 3 weeks ago. He was doing well until he fell down three stairs. One week after the fall he continues to report pain similar to his preoperative pain. An MRI scan reveals a minimally retracted 1-cm supraspinatus tendon tear in the same location as his original tear. Management should now consist of

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Question 96
The afferent pain innervation of the L3-L4 facet joint arises from the medial branch nerve of
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Question 97
A 45-year-old woman with a long-standing history of diabetes mellitus has a large draining plantar ulcer of the right foot. Examination reveals some local cellulitis and erythema surrounding the ulcer. A clinical photograph is shown in Figure 7. Based on these findings, what is the most appropriate antibiotic?

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Question 98
The management of a complex multifragmentary diaphyseal fracture of either the tibia or femur has changed during the last decade. Which of the following principles of treatment is now considered less important?

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Question 99
Which of the following best describes the use of epidural morphine and steroid paste after laminectomy?

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Question 100
A 10-year-old girl has been unable to walk for the past 5 days because of bilateral hip pain. Administration of IV morphine has provided some pain relief. She is afebrile. History reveals that she had an upper respiratory tract infection 3 weeks ago that resolved uneventfully. Examination reveals moderate pain with internal rotation and abduction, while log rolling maneuvers do not cause significant pain. An MRI scan shows a small effusion of one hip; however, a bone scan and plain radiographs are normal. Initial laboratory studies showed a markedly elevated WBC count, which subsequently declined to normal levels with IV antibiotics. Current studies show an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 100 mm/h. Aspiration of the hip obtains 3 mL of fluid; Gram stain is negative for bacteria, but a cell count shows a WBC count of 16,500/mm3. Streptozyme titer of the peripheral blood is 200 units (normal is less than 100 units). Management should now consist of

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