AAOS & ABOS Orthopedic 2026 MCQs: Compartment Syndrome, Femoral Fractures & Knee Injuries

A 16-year-old high school football player sustains an injury to the left hip. The avulsed fragment identified by the arrow in Figure 34 represents the origin of which of the following structures?

A 9-year-old boy has a painless enlarged mass on the dorsum of his hand. Figures 14a through 14d show the clinical photograph, radiographs, and biopsy specimen. What is the most likely diagnosis?

The major benefit of irrigation with a castile soap solution over irrigation with bacitracin solution for the treatment of the open fracture shown in Figure 42 can be seen in which of the following outcomes?

What nerve is at greatest risk when developing the superficial plane between the tensor fascia lata and sartorious during the anterior (Smith-Peterson) approach to the hip?

Which of the following agents have been shown to reduce the incidence of skeletal events in patients with multiple myeloma?

Figure 8a shows the clinical photograph of an 83-year-old woman who has an enlarging left forearm mass. MRI scans are shown in Figures 8b and 8c. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

A 2-year-old boy has complete absence of the sacrum and lower lumbar spine. What is the most likely long-term outcome if no spinal pelvic stabilization is performed?

Joint contact pressure in normal or artificial joints can best be minimized by what mechanism?

A baseball player has had diffuse scapular soreness for the past 8 weeks. He reports that it began insidiously over several days and gradually has become worse. He denies any history of trauma. Examination reveals drooping of the shoulder, with lateral winging of the scapula at rest. He is otherwise neurologically intact. What is the best course of action?

During an anterior approach to the shoulder, excessive traction on the conjoined tendon is most likely to result in loss of

An otherwise healthy 57-year-old man has persistent, severe hip pain after undergoing total hip arthroplasty 3 months ago. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

A 14-year-old patient with an L3 myelomeningocele underwent anterior and posterior spinal fusion for a curve of 50 degrees. Follow-up examination 1 week after the procedure now reveals persistent drainage from the posterior wound. Results of laboratory cultures show Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus. In addition to IV antibiotics, surgical irrigation, and debridement, management should include

Which of the following properties primarily provides the excellent corrosion resistance of metallic alloys such as stainless steel and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum?

Survival rates for children with soft-tissue sarcoma other than rhabdomyosarcoma are best correlated with

A 12-year-old girl has scoliosis at T5-T10 that measures 62 degrees. A clinical photograph of the axilla is shown in Figure 56. Management should consist of

Management of a grade IV osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the capitellum should consist of

Figures 12a through 12e show the radiograph, MRI scans, and biopsy specimens of a 17-year-old boy. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 7-year-old girl has pain and a mass in the left scapula. A MRI scan and biopsy specimen are shown in Figures 30a and 30b. After staging studies, initial management should consist of

Which of the following mechanisms is considered the most common cause of failure of osteoarticular allografts used for articular reconstruction?

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

A 20-year-old-man sustained a scapular fracture after attempting to grab a beam as he fell through a ceiling at a job site 3 months ago. A clinical photograph is shown in Figure 36. He now reports pain in the anterior shoulder and difficulty with overhead activities. What nerve roots make up the involved peripheral nerve?

Which of the following vertebrae has the smallest pedicle isthmic width in a nondeformity patient?

A 57-year-old man has had right ankle pain for the past 10 months following an injury that went untreated. Radiographs are shown in Figures 30a through 30c. Management should consist of

Figure 53 shows the pedigree of a family with an unusual type of muscular dystrophy. This pedigree is most consistent with what type of inheritance pattern?

A 35-year-old man has numbness and tingling in the index, middle, and ring fingers. History reveals that he also has had vague wrist pain and stiffness since being injured in a motorcycle accident 1 year ago. Radiographs are shown in Figures 47a through 47c. Management should consist of

A 40-year-old woman underwent an arthroscopic acromioplasty and mini-open rotator cuff repair 4 weeks ago. At follow-up examination, the incision is painful, erythematous, and draining fluid. The patient is febrile and has an elevated WBC count. What infectious organism should be under high suspicion of causing this outcome?

A 32-year-old man sustained a closed injury after falling 25 feet from a roof. His ankle and foot are severely swollen. Radiographs and CT scans are shown in Figures 29a through 29d. Initial management should consist of

The radiograph shown in Figure 54 reveals that the plate on the second metacarpal is acting in what manner?

Figure 50 shows the AP radiograph of an asymptomatic 82-year-old woman who underwent total hip arthroplasty 16 years ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?

In children with moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), intravenous pamidronate therapy has been shown to increase the thickness of cortical bone. This occurs primarily as a consequence of

A 45-year-old man is seeking evaluation of an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident 10 weeks ago. Current radiographs are shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Based on the radiographic findings, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Which of the following procedures is not part of the routine evaluation of a patient with suspected metastatic disease to bone?

Examination of the shoulder seen in Figure 52 shows atrophy and tenderness of the infraspinous fossa and profound weakness in external rotation. The supraspinous fossa shows normal muscle bulk. What is the most likely cause of this condition?

In the spine, osteoblastomas usually originate in the

Which of the following methodologies has been proven to be effective in reducing the use of homologous blood transfusion following total hip arthroplasty (THA)?

Figure 48 shows the initial AP chest radiograph of a 21-year-old motorcycle rider who sustained multiple injuries after striking a telephone pole at high speed. What is the most significant radiographic finding leading to a diagnosis?

Figures 20a through 20d show the radiographs and MRI scans of a 59-year-old woman who has had symptoms consistent with progressive neurogenic claudication and back pain for the past 9 months. In the last 6 months, nonsurgical management consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and a series of epidural steroid injections have been used; however the injections, while beneficial, have provided only temporary relief of her symptoms. What is the most appropriate management at this time?

The third plantar intrinsic muscle layer of the foot consists of which of the following structures?

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?

What structure is most at risk with anterior penetration of C1 lateral mass screws?

Osteolysis after total knee arthroplasty can be minimized through prosthetic design features such as

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?

Significant anterior tibial translation occurs during which of the following rehabilitation exercises?

A 45-year-old man with a painful varus knee is being considered for an upper tibial osteotomy. Which of the following factors is considered the most compelling argument against this procedure?

Stiffness relates the amount of load applied to a structure like a long bone or an intramedullary nail to the amount of resulting deformation that occurs in the structure. What is the most important material property affecting the axial and bending stiffness of a structure?

A 35-year-old carpenter sustained an injury to his dominant shoulder in a fall. He reports that he felt a sharp tearing sensation as he held on to a scaffold to keep from falling. Examination reveals swelling and ecchymosis down the upper arm, weakness to internal rotation, and deformity of the anterior axilla. He has good strength in external rotation and no apprehension with instability testing. Radiographs are normal. Management should consist of

Which of the following nerves is most commonly injured during ankle arthroscopy?

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

Figure 50 shows the MRI scan of a 20-year-old female college soccer player with knee pain. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 13-year-old patient has foot drop and lateral knee pain. AP and lateral radiographs and an MRI scan are shown in Figures 49a through 49c. A biopsy specimen is shown in Figure 49d. What is the preferred method of treatment?

Which of the following ligaments is the primary static restraint against inferior translation of the arm when the shoulder is in 0 degrees of abduction?

Figure 47 shows a transverse MRI scan of a patient's left shoulder. The findings reveal which of the following abnormalities?

Figure 7 shows the radiograph of an 18-year-old hockey player who sustained a shoulder injury during a fall into the side boards. Examination reveals a significant prominence at the acromioclavicular joint. Management should consist of

Figure 24 shows the arthroscopic view of a patient with ankle impingement syndrome. This is commonly seen after high ankle sprains and represents fibrotic granulation thickening of what structure?

A 30-year-old patient has had severe left hip pain and difficulty ambulating, necessitating the use of a cane, for the past 6 months. A photomicrograph of the femoral head sectioned at the time of surgery is shown in Figure 31. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 65-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and plantar ulcers has an erythematous and swollen right foot and ankle. Despite IV antibiotics, the erythema spreads to her lower calf within 24 hours. She has a systolic blood pressure of 80/55 mm Hg and a pulse rate of 120. Laboratory studies show a creatinine level of 1.5 mg. Initial management should consist of

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

A 61-year-old woman has increasing pain in her left great toe. She states that she has had discomfort for years but now has pain with all shoe wear. A radiograph is shown in Figure 35. To provide the most predictable pain-free result, treatment should consist of

Figure 15a shows the radiograph of a patient who has a chondrosarcoma of the acetabulum. Bone scans are shown in Figures 15b and 15c. Numerous soft subcutaneous masses are present. A clinical photograph of the hand is shown in Figure 15d. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A patient undergoes a proximal tibial resection that is reconstructed with a fresh frozen osteoarticular allograft. Eleven months later, the graft is retrieved. Histologically, the articular cartilage and subchondral bone retrieved would be expected to show evidence of

A 16-year-old football player sustains a direct blow to the anterior aspect of his flexed right knee. Examination reveals a contusion over the anterior tibial tubercle and a small effusion. MRI scans are shown in Figures 33a through 33c. What is the most likely diagnosis?

What artery provides the only direct vascularizaton to both the intraneural and extraneural blood supply of the ulnar nerve just proximal to the cubital tunnel?

A 27-year-old man has had pain in the right index finger for the past 9 months. The pain is completely relieved with ibuprofen. An AP radiograph and CT scan are shown in Figures 80a and 80b. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Chemotherapy is routinely included in the treatment of which of the following soft-tissue sarcomas?

Patients with which of the following primary carcinomas have the shortest overall survival rate after a solitary metastasis to bone?

A 62-year-old man with a long history of right shoulder pain and weakness is scheduled to undergo hemiarthroplasty. Based on the radiographs shown in Figures 6a through 6c, what preoperative factor will most affect postoperative functional outcome?

The Coleman block test is used to evaluate the cavovarus foot. What is the most important information obtained from this test?

A 1-year-old infant has the hand deformities shown in Figure 40. What pathologic process is the most likely cause of these deformities?

Figure 46 shows the AP radiograph of a patient with right shoulder pain. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 10-year-old boy has had a prominent scapula for the past year. He reports crepitus and aching over the area, but only when he is active. A radiograph and CT scans are shown in Figures 37a through 37c. What is the most likely diagnosis?

What letter in Figure 33 marks the correct starting point for a transiliac pelvic screw?

Figures 9a and 9b show the radiographs of a 4-year-old child who sustained an elbow injury. What is the most likely complication resulting from this fracture if treated in a cast?

A 41-year-old man who plays golf regularly has had ulnar-sided wrist pain for the past several days after striking a tree root with a golf club. Examination reveals significant pain with resisted flexion of the ring and small fingers and tenderness over the hook of the hamate. Which of the following radiographic views would be most helpful in identifying the pathology of this injury?

A 28-year-old man was shot in the foot with a .22 caliber handgun approximately 2 hours ago. Examination reveals an entrance wound dorsally and a plantar exit wound. The foot is neurovascularly intact. Radiographs reveal a nondisplaced fracture of the third metatarsal. Soft-tissue management for this injury should consist of

A 25-year-old competitive skier sustains a twisting injury to the right ankle while skiing. She is unable to continue the activity secondary to severe lateral ankle pain. Examination reveals ecchymosis and fullness over the lateral malleolus with pain and weakness on active ankle dorsiflexion and external rotation. There is no medial-sided pain. Neurovascular examination is normal. An AP radiograph and MRI scan are shown in Figures 17a and 17b, respectively. Management should consist of

A 21-year-old soccer player reports pain and is unable to straighten his knee following an acute injury during a game. He is unable to continue to play. An MRI scan is shown in Figure 3. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

A 61-year-old woman has increasing pain in her left great toe. She states that she has had discomfort for years but now has pain with all shoe wear. A radiograph is shown in Figure 35. To provide the most predictable pain-free result, treatment should consist of

You are interested in learning a new technique for minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty. The Keyhole Genuflex system seems appealing to you because the instrumentation comes with wireless controls. Which of the following represents an acceptable arrangement?

A previously healthy 65-year-old woman has a closed fracture of the right clavicle after falling down the basement stairs. Examination reveals good capillary refill in the digits of her right hand. Radial and ulnar pulses are 1+ at the right wrist compared with 2+ on the opposite side. In the arteriogram shown in Figure 36, the arrow is pointing at which of the following arteries?

A 12-year-old pitcher has had a 2-month history of pain in his right dominant shoulder after throwing. He reports that the pain has gradually progressed to the point where he cannot throw without pain. He also notes that the pain now awakens him at night if he has been active. Anti-inflammatory drugs have failed to provide relief. Examination reveals no abnormalities except for some localized tenderness over the proximal humerus. Figures 32a and 32b show radiographs of both shoulders. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Which of the following is considered a physiologic effect of anemia?

When using surgery extending to the pelvis to treat long spinal deformity in adults, the addition of anterior interbody structural support at the lumbosacral junction serves what biomechanical function?

Figures 8a through 8d show the radiographs and CT scans of a 14-year-old girl who has a painful, rigid planovalgus foot. Management consisting of arch supports and anti-inflammatory drugs failed to provide relief. A below-knee walking cast resulted in pain resolution, but she now reports that the pain has recurred. Management should now consist of

Which of the following properties primarily provides the excellent corrosion resistance of metallic alloys such as stainless steel and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum?

A young man sustains a lumbar strain in an on-the-job motor vehicle accident. Both he and his treating physician feel that he is capable of limited duty with appropriate restrictions shortly after the injury. What term best describes his work status?

The MRI findings shown in Figure 51 would most likely create which of the following signs and symptoms?

Locked plating techniques have been shown to have biomechanical advantages over standard plating in which of the following scenarios?

A 42-year-old woman reports that she has low back pain and had a transient loss of consciousness after falling off a horse. She denies having neck pain but notes that she was involved in a motor vehicle accident 2 years ago and had neck pain at that time. Examination reveals full range of motion of the neck and no localized tenderness. The neurologic examination is normal. A lateral radiograph of the cervical spine is obtained. Figures 41a and 41b show CT and MRI scans. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Figure 10 shows the AP radiograph of an ambulatory 76-year-old patient. What is the most appropriate surgical treatment option for this patient?

A 32-year-old man has an open comminuted humeral shaft fracture. Examination reveals absence of sensation in the first web space and he is unable to fully extend the thumb, fingers, and wrist. What is the recommended treatment following irrigation and debridement of the fracture?

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?

Figures 6a through 6d show the radiographs and biopsy specimens of an 8-year-old girl with leg pain. Management of the lesion should consist of

A 6-year-old boy with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the distal femur is being treated with intravenous antibiotics. The most expeditious method to determine the early success or failure of treatment is by serial evaluations of which of the following studies?

A 42-year-old man has a symptomatic flatfoot deformity and walks with a slight limp after falling off a scaffold 9 months ago. He also reports that he has had difficulty returning to work. Orthotics have failed to provide relief. Current radiographs are shown in Figures 19a and 19b. To relieve his pain and return the patient to work, treatment should consist of

An 8-year-old boy sustained an isolated distal radial fracture that was reduced and immobilized with 10 degrees of residual dorsal tilt. What is the next step in management?

A 7-year-old boy sustained a head contusion and small bowel injuries in a motor vehicle accident in which he was wearing a lap belt. He subsequently required a bowel resection. Six weeks after the accident, his parents note a painful mass in his lower back. His neurologic examination is normal. A radiograph and CT scans are shown in Figures 47a through 47c. Definitive management should now consist of

The husband of a 22-year-old woman has hypophosphatemic rickets. The woman has no orthopaedic abnormalities, but she is concerned about her chances of having a child with the same disease. What should they be told regarding this disorder?

Failure of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is most closely associated with which of the following factors?

A positive Froment sign indicates weakness of which of the following muscles?

Figure 19 shows an arthroscopic view from the anterior lateral portal of the knee looking into the suprapatella pouch. The use of an electrothermal device during this procedure most commonly causes significant postoperative complications by damaging which of the following structures?