What is a key sign of fractures in the hip during lower extremity inspection?

What is a key sign of fractures in the hip during lower extremity inspection?

• A. Lengthening of limbs
• B. Shortening and external rotation of limbs
• C. Discoloration of the toes
• D. Deformity of the knee

Answer: (B)

Shortening and external rotation of limbs is a key sign of fractures in the hip during lower extremity inspection due to the mechanics of how hip fractures typically occur and the body's response to them. When a hip fracture occurs, the affected leg usually assumes a position that is shorter than the other leg due to the pull of the muscles around the hip joint, including the iliopsoas and the quadriceps. Additionally, the external rotation is commonly observed because the muscles and ligaments around the hip joint are in a position of tension, which causes the foot and leg to turn outward. The clinical significance of this observation lies in its ability to quickly alert healthcare providers to the possibility of a serious injury, enabling prompt diagnosis and management. Understanding these signs can help in assessing the patient effectively, particularly in situations where they may be unable to communicate their symptoms. Other options are not characteristic signs of hip fractures. Lengthening of limbs would not typically occur with a hip fracture; discoloration of the toes may indicate issues with blood supply or may be a sign of other lower limb injuries but is not specific to hip fractures; and deformity of the knee, while it could indicate an injury, does not directly relate to fractures of the hip itself.

Shortening and external rotation of limbs is a key sign of fractures in the hip during lower extremity inspection due to the mechanics of how hip fractures typically occur and the body's response to them. When a hip fracture occurs, the affected leg usually assumes a position that is shorter than the other leg due to the pull of the muscles around the hip joint, including the iliopsoas and the quadriceps. Additionally, the external rotation is commonly observed because the muscles and ligaments around the hip joint are in a position of tension, which causes the foot and leg to turn outward.

The clinical significance of this observation lies in its ability to quickly alert healthcare providers to the possibility of a serious injury, enabling prompt diagnosis and management. Understanding these signs can help in assessing the patient effectively, particularly in situations where they may be unable to communicate their symptoms.

Other options are not characteristic signs of hip fractures. Lengthening of limbs would not typically occur with a hip fracture; discoloration of the toes may indicate issues with blood supply or may be a sign of other lower limb injuries but is not specific to hip fractures; and deformity of the knee, while it could indicate an injury, does not directly relate to fractures of the hip itself.