ABFAS BOARDS EXAM COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE AND PODIATRIC SURGERY BOARD
REVIEW 2026
◉ 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
GUIDE AND PODIATRIC SURGERY BOARD
REVIEW 2026
◉ 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
