ABPTS Board Certification Complete Practice
Tests With Rationales Well Revised
New Update
Practice Questions
Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) - 25 Questions
1. Which structure provides the primary restraint to posterior translation of the
tibia relative to the femur?
A. Medial collateral ligament
B. Anterior cruciate ligament
C. Posterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
Answer: C. Posterior cruciate ligament
Rationale: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) resists posterior displacement of the tibia
on the femur, especially when the knee is flexed. It is the primary restraint to posterior
translation .
2. In the context of the biopsychosocial model of pain, which factor is considered a
"social" determinant?
A. Catastrophizing thoughts
B. Sleep disturbances
C. Cultural beliefs about pain
D. Peripheral nociceptive input
,Answer: C. Cultural beliefs about pain
Rationale: Cultural beliefs, family support, and socioeconomic status are social factors
influencing pain perception. Catastrophizing is psychological, while peripheral input is
biological .
3. Which of the following best describes the arthrokinematic movement occurring
at the glenohumeral joint during arm elevation in the scapular plane?
A. Roll: anterior; Glide: superior
B. Roll: superior; Glide: anterior
C. Roll: posterior; Glide: inferior
D. Roll: inferior; Glide: posterior
Answer: B. Roll: superior; Glide: anterior
Rationale: During scapular-plane elevation, the convex humeral head rolls superiorly and
glides anteriorly on the concave glenoid fossa to maintain joint congruency, following the
convex-concave rule .
4. A 45-year-old male presents with a "popping" sensation in the lateral knee after
a sudden change in direction. Which structure is most likely involved?
A. Medial meniscus
B. Lateral collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Iliotibial band
Answer: D. Iliotibial band
Rationale: The iliotibial band can snap over the lateral femoral epicondyle, producing a
popping sensation, especially with rapid direction changes or repetitive flexion/extension .
,5. Which pharmacologic class is most commonly associated with delayed bone
healing when used long term?
A. NSAIDs
B. Opioids
C. Muscle relaxants
D. Anticonvulsants
Answer: A. NSAIDs
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which can impair the inflammatory
phase of bone healing. This effect is particularly concerning with prolonged use after
fractures .
6. During gait analysis, a patient demonstrates excessive hip adduction and
internal rotation during stance. Which muscle group is most likely weak?
A. Hip flexors
B. Hip abductors and external rotators
C. Hip adductors
D. Hamstrings
Answer: B. Hip abductors and external rotators
Rationale: Weakness of the hip abductors (gluteus medius) and external rotators allows
the contralateral pelvis to drop and the hip to adduct/internally rotate during stance
phase .
, 7. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral meniscus
Answer: C. Anterior cruciate ligament
*Rationale: The Lachman test assesses anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with
the knee in 20-30 degrees of flexion. Increased translation indicates ACL deficiency .*
8. Which nerve is most commonly involved in carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Radial nerve
B. Median nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Musculocutaneous nerve
Answer: B. Median nerve
Rationale: The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and is compressed in carpal
tunnel syndrome, leading to paresthesia in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the
ring finger .
9. Which imaging modality provides the best visualization of soft-tissue structures
such as the labrum and cartilage in the hip?
A. Plain radiography
B. CT scan
C. MRI arthrography
D. Bone scan
Tests With Rationales Well Revised
New Update
Practice Questions
Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) - 25 Questions
1. Which structure provides the primary restraint to posterior translation of the
tibia relative to the femur?
A. Medial collateral ligament
B. Anterior cruciate ligament
C. Posterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral collateral ligament
Answer: C. Posterior cruciate ligament
Rationale: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) resists posterior displacement of the tibia
on the femur, especially when the knee is flexed. It is the primary restraint to posterior
translation .
2. In the context of the biopsychosocial model of pain, which factor is considered a
"social" determinant?
A. Catastrophizing thoughts
B. Sleep disturbances
C. Cultural beliefs about pain
D. Peripheral nociceptive input
,Answer: C. Cultural beliefs about pain
Rationale: Cultural beliefs, family support, and socioeconomic status are social factors
influencing pain perception. Catastrophizing is psychological, while peripheral input is
biological .
3. Which of the following best describes the arthrokinematic movement occurring
at the glenohumeral joint during arm elevation in the scapular plane?
A. Roll: anterior; Glide: superior
B. Roll: superior; Glide: anterior
C. Roll: posterior; Glide: inferior
D. Roll: inferior; Glide: posterior
Answer: B. Roll: superior; Glide: anterior
Rationale: During scapular-plane elevation, the convex humeral head rolls superiorly and
glides anteriorly on the concave glenoid fossa to maintain joint congruency, following the
convex-concave rule .
4. A 45-year-old male presents with a "popping" sensation in the lateral knee after
a sudden change in direction. Which structure is most likely involved?
A. Medial meniscus
B. Lateral collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Iliotibial band
Answer: D. Iliotibial band
Rationale: The iliotibial band can snap over the lateral femoral epicondyle, producing a
popping sensation, especially with rapid direction changes or repetitive flexion/extension .
,5. Which pharmacologic class is most commonly associated with delayed bone
healing when used long term?
A. NSAIDs
B. Opioids
C. Muscle relaxants
D. Anticonvulsants
Answer: A. NSAIDs
Rationale: NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, which can impair the inflammatory
phase of bone healing. This effect is particularly concerning with prolonged use after
fractures .
6. During gait analysis, a patient demonstrates excessive hip adduction and
internal rotation during stance. Which muscle group is most likely weak?
A. Hip flexors
B. Hip abductors and external rotators
C. Hip adductors
D. Hamstrings
Answer: B. Hip abductors and external rotators
Rationale: Weakness of the hip abductors (gluteus medius) and external rotators allows
the contralateral pelvis to drop and the hip to adduct/internally rotate during stance
phase .
, 7. A positive Lachman test indicates injury to which structure?
A. Posterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Anterior cruciate ligament
D. Lateral meniscus
Answer: C. Anterior cruciate ligament
*Rationale: The Lachman test assesses anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with
the knee in 20-30 degrees of flexion. Increased translation indicates ACL deficiency .*
8. Which nerve is most commonly involved in carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Radial nerve
B. Median nerve
C. Ulnar nerve
D. Musculocutaneous nerve
Answer: B. Median nerve
Rationale: The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and is compressed in carpal
tunnel syndrome, leading to paresthesia in the thumb, index, middle, and radial half of the
ring finger .
9. Which imaging modality provides the best visualization of soft-tissue structures
such as the labrum and cartilage in the hip?
A. Plain radiography
B. CT scan
C. MRI arthrography
D. Bone scan
