For NEET-PG candidates, Orthopaedics is a high-scoring subject under the General Surgery category. This subject serves as a link between anatomy and clinical practice, making it both intellectually stimulating and essential for every medical graduate. The key to success is paying attention to high-demand topics such as fractures, dislocations, bone tumours, and spinal disorders, and correlating the theory with radiological and clinical findings. 

Strategic preparation, visual learning through X-rays, and continuous MCQ practice play a crucial role in achieving accuracy and retention. In this guide, we will explore the important topics and preparation tips of Orthopaedics in MBBS, specifically tailored to help you ace NEET-PG 2026.

About MBBS Orthopaedics

Orthopaedics is not only the most fascinating but also the clinically most rewarding topic of the MBBS curriculum, which deals with the musculoskeletal system, the anatomical and physiological aspects of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that make up the human skeleton. The subject matter extends from understanding fracture management principles and bone healing, to spinal deformities and joint pathologies diagnosis. 

The orthopaedic surgeons, or orthopaedic doctors, employ a variety of non-surgical and surgical techniques to restore the functions of the affected parts. It plays a key role in helping people recover from bone and joint injuries or improve mobility.

Topic Weightage of Orthopaedics in Competitive Entrance Exams

According to the new MBBS curriculum, Orthopaedics has been integrated with General Surgery subjects besides Anaesthesiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Radiodiagnosis.

The NEET-PG General Surgery section has around 45 questions, out of which Orthopaedics accounts for approximately 5–8 questions on average. While the Orthopaedics portion of the exam is smaller, this indicates that by strategically focusing on it, you can significantly raise your overall score.

Important Topics in MBBS Orthopaedics for NEET-PG 2025

The following are some of the high-yield concepts NEET-PG aspirants should focus on while preparing for Orthopaedics:

1. Definition of Fracture and Classification

• Clinical features of a fracture
• Classification of fractures

2. Fracture Healing

• Types of fracture healing
• Stages of secondary fracture healing
• Distraction histogenesis
• Factors affecting fracture healing
• Signs of fracture union

3. Upper Limb Trauma

• Fracture clavicle 
• Acromioclavicular joint injuries 
• Fracture scapula 
• Proximal humerus fracture 
• Shaft of humerus fracture 
• Shoulder dislocation 
• Posterior shoulder dislocation
• Inferior shoulder dislocation
• Suppracondylar fracture 
• Lateral condyle fracture 
• Elbow dislocation
• Classification of elbow dislocation
• Types of elbow dislocation
• Treatment and complications 
• Pulled elbow 
• Monteggia fracture 
• Galeazzi fracture 
• Essex lopresti fracture 
• Radial styloid fracture 
• Colles fracture 
• Components of colles fracture 
• Smith fracture 
• Barton fracture 
• Boxer’s fracture 
• Gamekeeper’s thumb 
• Scaphoid fracture 
• Bennett’s fracture 
• Rolando fracture 
• Difference between bennet and rolnado fracture 
• Mallet finger 

4. Lower Limb Trauma

• Hip dislocation 
• Posterior dislocation of hip
• Anterior dislocation of hip 
• Central dislocation of hip 
• Talus fracture 
• Patellar fracture 
• Recurrent dislocation of patella 
• Neck of femur fracture 
• Intertrochanteric fracture 
• Ankle injuries 
• Foot fractures 
• Calcaneal fracture
• Tibial condyle fracture 
• Shaft  of femur fractures 
• Pelvic fractures 
• Classification of pelvic fractures 

5. Complications of Fractures

• Open fracture/compound fracture 
• Volkmann’s ischaemia 
• ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
• Myositis ossificans 
• Crush syndromes  
• Sudeck’s osteodystrophy 
• Avascular necrosis 
• Gaucher disease 

6. Sports Injuries

• Stabilisers of the knee joint 
• Anterior cruciate ligament injuries 
• Posterior cruciate ligament injuries 
• Rotator cuff injury 
• Meniscle injury 

7. Peripheral Nerve Injuries

• General facts about peripheral nerves 
• Structure of a nerve 
• Causes of peripheral nerve injury 
• Pathogenesis of nerve injury 
• Signs of nerve regeneration 
• Classification of nerve injuries 
• Investigations for nerve injuries 
• General management of the peripheral nerve 
• Branchial plexus injury 
• Klumpke’s paralysis 
• Radial nerve injury 
• Ulnar nerve injury 
• Medial nerve injury 
• Common peripheral nerve injury 

8. Paediatric Orthopaedics

• Club foot 
• CTEV and deformities in CTEV 
• Theories of CTEV 
• Epiphyseal injury 
• Achondroplasia 
• Infantile cortical hyperostosis/Caffey’s disease
• Congenital vertical talus 
• Development dysplasia of the hip
• Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia 
• Congenital torticollis 
• Klippel feil syndrome and sprengel shoulder 
• Cleidocranial dysostosis 
• Osteogenesis imperfecta 
• Fibrous dysplasia 
• Syndactyly 

9. Bone Infections

• Osteomyelitis 
• Acute osteomyelitis 
• Subacute osteomyelitis 
• Chronic osteomyelitis 
• Special types of osteomyelitis 
• Skeletal tuberculosis 
• Pott’s spine 
• Tuberculosis of hip
• Tuberculosis of knee joint 

10. Bone Tumours

• WHO classification of bone tumours 
• Osteochondroma (exostosis)
• Echohondroma 
• Chondroblastoma aka codman’s tumour 
• Chondromyxoid fibroma 
• Osteomas
• Bone cysts 
• Osteogenic sarcoma 
• Ewing’s sarcoma/ small blue cell tumour 
• Giant cell tumour/ osteoclastoma 
• Multiple myeloma 

11. Metabolic Bone Disorders

• Rickets
• Osteoporosis
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hungry bone syndrome
• Osteopetrosis
• Scurvy
• Gout
• Pseudogout/ CPPD
• Paget’s disease

12. Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Charcot joint
• Haemophilic arthritis

13. Spine

• Disc prolapse
• Intervertebral disc herniation
• Spondyloliarhesis
• Lumbar canal stenosis
• Hangman fracture
• Scoliosis

14. Regional conditions

• Frozen shoulder/ adhesive capsulitis/ arthrofibrosis/ periarthritis shoulder
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• De queravain’s tenosynovitis/ washerwomen sprain/ tanovaginitis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Keinbock’s disease/ lunatomalacia
• Perthes disease
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
• Wilsons’s grading
• Baker’s cyst/ popiteal cyst
• Discoid meniscus
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Pellegrini steda diseases
• Synovial chondromatosis/ Reichel syndrome
• Haglund’s deformity
• Plantar fasciitis
• Morton’s metatarsalgia/Morton’s neuroma
• Medlung deformity
• Battered baby syndrome/ silverman syndrome

Prioritise studying the topics listed above first, and once you’re confident with them, move on to other topics if time allows. Consistent revision of these high-yield areas will help reinforce concepts and improve retention.

How to Study Orthopaedics for NEET PG?

If you want to be prepared effectively for the Orthopaedics section of NEET PG, you must learn that conceptual understanding is more important than just memorisation. Use visual learning methods, do MCQs for practice regularly, and prepare brief, well-organised notes to get your revision work done effectively and to perform well in the exam.

Here is a broad overview:

1. Start with Conceptual Understanding

Do not memorise facts blindly. Make sure you understand the concepts of fractures, joint disorders, and treatment protocols. When you know the reasoning for each diagnostic step, surgical procedure, or management strategy, it will be easier for you to handle clinical scenario-based questions in the exam.

2. Use Visual Learning

Orthopaedics is a subject that heavily relies on visuals, and one has to be good at looking at X-rays, CT scans, and anatomical diagrams. Look at pictures of fractures, dislocations, joint deformities, and bone tumours. This will not only fasten your recognition of diseases but will also empower your clinical application skills that NEET PG tests frequently.

3. Make Notes

Write brief and simple notes in the form of flowcharts, tables, and mnemonics to memorise. Sort them into categories and highlight the areas that are high yield, and also the typical complications. These notes will help you quickly revise on the days left before the examination and aid you in consolidating your comprehension of complicated concepts.

4. Practise MCQs Daily

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are very important in the learning process, and thus, they should be done regularly. Concentrate on one topic at a time and do the questions in a timed manner to increase both your speed and accuracy. 

Along with this, understanding correct and incorrect answer explanations will broaden your knowledge and make you aware of the learning areas that need your attention more.

5. Revise Regularly

Make it a habit to dedicate one day per week to revising previously studied topics. Repetition is of paramount importance when it comes to remembering Orthopaedics concepts, especially for rare conditions, paediatric diseases, and peripheral nerve injuries. Regular revision ensures that your knowledge remains fresh and that you can recall important information confidently during the exam.

FAQs about Important Topics and Preparation Tips for Orthopaedics in MBBS

1. What are the important topics for Orthopaedics in NEET-PG 2025?

The most important topics for Orthopaedics are fractures, dislocations, bone tumours, spinal disorders, joint disorders, and nerve injuries. A thorough study of these high-yield areas will lead to better results in the examination.

2. How should I study Orthopaedics for NEET-PG?

Conceptual understanding, usage of visuals like X-rays and diagrams, short note-making, and regular practice of MCQs are the best ways to prepare for orthopaedics. These methods improve memory and also give you command over clinically based questions.

3. Why is clinical correlation important in Orthopaedics for NEET-PG?

Clinical correlations are often tested in NEET-PG. Understanding the real-world application of concepts helps you answer case-based questions accurately and enhances long-term retention.

4. How can I improve accuracy in Orthopaedics MCQs?

It is of great importance to practise topic-wise MCQs, understand mistakes thoroughly, and revise weak areas. Besides that, reading X-rays and case images will also help you become more accurate in interpreting clinical findings.

5. How much time do I need to spend on Orthopaedics while studying for NEET-PG?

Preferably, dedicate 7–10 days solely to Orthopaedics. Begin with the high-yield subjects such as fractures, dislocations, and bone tumours and proceed to paediatric and spinal disorders. Spend 1–2 hours daily on MCQs and visual revision to strengthen recall and application.

Conclusion

Orthopaedics is a major clinical topic under MBBS that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Thus, to assist students to ace in this subject, DocTutorials thoroughly covers the core Orthopaedic topics like fractures, joint disorders, spinal conditions, and sports injuries. Conceptual clarity and clinical application are greatly enhanced through video lectures by experts, interactive quizzes and MCQs.

In order to achieve NEET-PG Orthopaedics, it is necessary to combine continuous hard work with intelligent preparation. Concentrate on high-yield topics, use your time wisely, and follow a phased revision plan to maximise your output. The road to success in Orthopaedics, as well as NEET-PG in general, lies in one’s ability to be disciplined and adaptable and have an integrated approach to learning. 

With the help of the expert guidance and comprehensive resources from DocTutorials, aspirants can better prepare themselves, and eventually, they will be closer to reaching their goals in postgraduate studies. Check out our MBBS courses today!