MSC SPINE 2026 TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+
✔✔what is the POST-OP benefit of having a large window on a cervical plate? -
✔✔observing fusion on AP imaging
✔✔what is the INTRA-OP benefits of having a large window on a cervical plate? - ✔✔-
being able to see graft and endplate interface to better size the plate
✔✔Comprehensive DLIF retractors will have:
- lightsource capabilities
- flat blades
- multiple size blade lengths
- bulky
- caudal/cephalad posterior 3 blade system
- intradiscal shim for fixation/stability
- docking pins for fixation
- blade towing - ✔✔- lightsource capabilities - yes
- flat blades - no
- multiple size blade lengths - yes
- bulky - no
- caudal/cephalad posterior 3 blade system - yes
- intradiscal shim for fixation/stability - yes
- docking pins for fixation - yes
- blade towing - yes
✔✔What are the goals of placing a TLIF interbody more anteriorly in the vertebral body?
- ✔✔- provide anterior column support
- induce lordosis
- disc height
✔✔what does EOP stand for? - ✔✔external occipital protuberance
✔✔What does PSO stand for? - ✔✔pedicle subtraction osteotomy
✔✔What are the advantages of the lateral procedure?
- less expensive
- large graft placement
- optimal disc height restoration
- indirect decompression where we have stenosis
- provides anterior column support - ✔✔- less expensive - no
- large graft placement - yes
- optimal disc height restoration - yes
- indirect decompression where we have stenosis - yes
- provides anterior column support - yes
, ✔✔Where do burst fractures usually occur? - ✔✔anterior and posterior portions of
vertebral body
✔✔What 2 techniques would be used for osteoporotic compression fractures? - ✔✔-
kyphoplasty
- vertebroplasty
✔✔FDA approved disc arthroplasty devices:
- Orthofix M6C
- Seaspine Shorline
- Globus Coalition
- DePuy Prodisc C
- Zimmer Mobi- C - ✔✔- Orthofix M6C - yes
- Seaspine Shorline - no
- Globus Coalition - no
- DePuy Prodisc C - yes
- Zimmer Mobi- C - yes
✔✔What was the first on label device used for 2 level disc arthroplasty? - ✔✔Mobi-C by
Zimmer
✔✔what was the device for disc arthroplasty first approved for the cervical spine? -
✔✔Prodisc C
✔✔what planes are obtainable using navigation? - ✔✔- sagittal
- coronal
- axial
✔✔On AP xrays, what do we look at to determine axial rotation for the severity of
scoliosis? - ✔✔the pedicles
✔✔Does the disc act as a lever? - ✔✔NO
✔✔The supraspinous ligament is a ________ - ✔✔passive restraint
✔✔What are some advantages of a robot or navigation system during spine surgeries?
- less equipment in the OR
- less radiation exposure for OR staff
- improved accuracy of screw placement - ✔✔- less equipment in the OR - no
- less radiation exposure for OR staff - yes
- improved accuracy of screw placement - yes
GRADED A+
✔✔what is the POST-OP benefit of having a large window on a cervical plate? -
✔✔observing fusion on AP imaging
✔✔what is the INTRA-OP benefits of having a large window on a cervical plate? - ✔✔-
being able to see graft and endplate interface to better size the plate
✔✔Comprehensive DLIF retractors will have:
- lightsource capabilities
- flat blades
- multiple size blade lengths
- bulky
- caudal/cephalad posterior 3 blade system
- intradiscal shim for fixation/stability
- docking pins for fixation
- blade towing - ✔✔- lightsource capabilities - yes
- flat blades - no
- multiple size blade lengths - yes
- bulky - no
- caudal/cephalad posterior 3 blade system - yes
- intradiscal shim for fixation/stability - yes
- docking pins for fixation - yes
- blade towing - yes
✔✔What are the goals of placing a TLIF interbody more anteriorly in the vertebral body?
- ✔✔- provide anterior column support
- induce lordosis
- disc height
✔✔what does EOP stand for? - ✔✔external occipital protuberance
✔✔What does PSO stand for? - ✔✔pedicle subtraction osteotomy
✔✔What are the advantages of the lateral procedure?
- less expensive
- large graft placement
- optimal disc height restoration
- indirect decompression where we have stenosis
- provides anterior column support - ✔✔- less expensive - no
- large graft placement - yes
- optimal disc height restoration - yes
- indirect decompression where we have stenosis - yes
- provides anterior column support - yes
, ✔✔Where do burst fractures usually occur? - ✔✔anterior and posterior portions of
vertebral body
✔✔What 2 techniques would be used for osteoporotic compression fractures? - ✔✔-
kyphoplasty
- vertebroplasty
✔✔FDA approved disc arthroplasty devices:
- Orthofix M6C
- Seaspine Shorline
- Globus Coalition
- DePuy Prodisc C
- Zimmer Mobi- C - ✔✔- Orthofix M6C - yes
- Seaspine Shorline - no
- Globus Coalition - no
- DePuy Prodisc C - yes
- Zimmer Mobi- C - yes
✔✔What was the first on label device used for 2 level disc arthroplasty? - ✔✔Mobi-C by
Zimmer
✔✔what was the device for disc arthroplasty first approved for the cervical spine? -
✔✔Prodisc C
✔✔what planes are obtainable using navigation? - ✔✔- sagittal
- coronal
- axial
✔✔On AP xrays, what do we look at to determine axial rotation for the severity of
scoliosis? - ✔✔the pedicles
✔✔Does the disc act as a lever? - ✔✔NO
✔✔The supraspinous ligament is a ________ - ✔✔passive restraint
✔✔What are some advantages of a robot or navigation system during spine surgeries?
- less equipment in the OR
- less radiation exposure for OR staff
- improved accuracy of screw placement - ✔✔- less equipment in the OR - no
- less radiation exposure for OR staff - yes
- improved accuracy of screw placement - yes
