ABFAS BOARDS EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS AND FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What can prevent graft failure during surgery? Answer: Using a
mesh graft and applying compression
◉ What complication arises from failing to overdrill a fully threaded
lag screw? Answer: Lack of compression
◉ What causes distraction instead of compression with a partially
threaded screw? Answer: Screw threads engaging both proximal and
distal fragments
◉ Why is one-third of the lateral band left intact during a plantra
fasciotomy? Answer: To prevent calcaneocuboid syndrome
◉ What type of biopsy is indicated when a 2cm x 2cm skin lesion
shows tumor along the margins? Answer: Incisional biopsy
◉ What condition may require the removal of both sesamoids?
Answer: Hallux malleus
,◉ How does incisional placement parallel to cleavage lines affect
scarring? Answer: It increases skin scarring
◉ What is the best management for a patient with intense pain after
K-wire fixation of toes? Answer: Inform the patient that a second
surgery is required to re-fixate the 3rd and 4th toes
◉ What structure's resection during a dorsal approach to a 3rd
interspace neuroma can lead to hammertoe deformities? Answer:
Deep transverse intermetatarsal ligament
◉ What nerve is likely damaged during excision of a plantar fibroma
if the patient experiences hyperextension of the hallux and toes?
Answer: Medial plantar nerve
◉ What defines a nonunion in fracture healing? Answer: Absent
callus with intact vascularity, occurring after major displacement
without apposition
◉ What is the likely reason for resolution of a radiopaque area on X-
ray after partial nail avulsion? Answer: Removal of silver nitrate
◉ What complication is least likely after a poorly fixated closing
base wedge osteotomy? Answer: Hallux varus
,◉ What is the most common long-term complication of a SCARF
osteotomy? Answer: Troughing of the metatarsal shaft
◉ What condition may result from accidental release of the deep
deltoid during clubfoot correction? Answer: Pes planus
◉ What is the most common cause of failed tarsal tunnel surgery?
Answer: Inadequate decompression
◉ What structure is implicated in sub metatarsal 2 pain following
ORIF? Answer: Peroneus longus tendon
◉ What is the most common complication following ORIF of a
displaced talar neck fracture? Answer: Post traumatic arthritis
◉ Where is the plantar cutaneous nerve commonly found during
tibial sesamoidectomy? Answer: Along the inferior border of the
abductor hallucis brevis tendon
◉ What is the calculated toxic dose of lidocaine (without
epinephrine) for a 60kg patient? Answer: 270 mg
◉ What is a likely cause of fever 12 hours after a Lisfranc ORIF?
Answer: Pulmonary atelectasis
, ◉ What additional imaging is important for a patient with a
suspected injury after an 8-foot fall? Answer: Spin radiograph
◉ What structure should be carefully dissected to avoid damage
during a lapidus procedure? Answer: Tibialis anterior tendon
◉ What can cause pseudarthrosis after a fracture? Answer: Post-
injury inflammation
◉ What is the most commonly reported complication following a
Weil osteotomy? Answer: Floating toe
◉ What structure is likely damaged if the 2nd digit abducts towards
the 3rd digit after a lateral release? Answer: 1st dorsal interossei
◉ What occurs in neurotmesis? Answer: Complete disruption of the
axon, Schwann cell, and endoneurial tubes
◉ What is neuropraxia? Answer: A lesser injury with the
endoneurial structure intact, often having a better prognosis for
axonal regrowth.
QUESTIONS AND FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ What can prevent graft failure during surgery? Answer: Using a
mesh graft and applying compression
◉ What complication arises from failing to overdrill a fully threaded
lag screw? Answer: Lack of compression
◉ What causes distraction instead of compression with a partially
threaded screw? Answer: Screw threads engaging both proximal and
distal fragments
◉ Why is one-third of the lateral band left intact during a plantra
fasciotomy? Answer: To prevent calcaneocuboid syndrome
◉ What type of biopsy is indicated when a 2cm x 2cm skin lesion
shows tumor along the margins? Answer: Incisional biopsy
◉ What condition may require the removal of both sesamoids?
Answer: Hallux malleus
,◉ How does incisional placement parallel to cleavage lines affect
scarring? Answer: It increases skin scarring
◉ What is the best management for a patient with intense pain after
K-wire fixation of toes? Answer: Inform the patient that a second
surgery is required to re-fixate the 3rd and 4th toes
◉ What structure's resection during a dorsal approach to a 3rd
interspace neuroma can lead to hammertoe deformities? Answer:
Deep transverse intermetatarsal ligament
◉ What nerve is likely damaged during excision of a plantar fibroma
if the patient experiences hyperextension of the hallux and toes?
Answer: Medial plantar nerve
◉ What defines a nonunion in fracture healing? Answer: Absent
callus with intact vascularity, occurring after major displacement
without apposition
◉ What is the likely reason for resolution of a radiopaque area on X-
ray after partial nail avulsion? Answer: Removal of silver nitrate
◉ What complication is least likely after a poorly fixated closing
base wedge osteotomy? Answer: Hallux varus
,◉ What is the most common long-term complication of a SCARF
osteotomy? Answer: Troughing of the metatarsal shaft
◉ What condition may result from accidental release of the deep
deltoid during clubfoot correction? Answer: Pes planus
◉ What is the most common cause of failed tarsal tunnel surgery?
Answer: Inadequate decompression
◉ What structure is implicated in sub metatarsal 2 pain following
ORIF? Answer: Peroneus longus tendon
◉ What is the most common complication following ORIF of a
displaced talar neck fracture? Answer: Post traumatic arthritis
◉ Where is the plantar cutaneous nerve commonly found during
tibial sesamoidectomy? Answer: Along the inferior border of the
abductor hallucis brevis tendon
◉ What is the calculated toxic dose of lidocaine (without
epinephrine) for a 60kg patient? Answer: 270 mg
◉ What is a likely cause of fever 12 hours after a Lisfranc ORIF?
Answer: Pulmonary atelectasis
, ◉ What additional imaging is important for a patient with a
suspected injury after an 8-foot fall? Answer: Spin radiograph
◉ What structure should be carefully dissected to avoid damage
during a lapidus procedure? Answer: Tibialis anterior tendon
◉ What can cause pseudarthrosis after a fracture? Answer: Post-
injury inflammation
◉ What is the most commonly reported complication following a
Weil osteotomy? Answer: Floating toe
◉ What structure is likely damaged if the 2nd digit abducts towards
the 3rd digit after a lateral release? Answer: 1st dorsal interossei
◉ What occurs in neurotmesis? Answer: Complete disruption of the
axon, Schwann cell, and endoneurial tubes
◉ What is neuropraxia? Answer: A lesser injury with the
endoneurial structure intact, often having a better prognosis for
axonal regrowth.
