What does the presence of a Galeazzi sign indicate?

• A. Hip dislocation
• B. Leg length insufficiency
• C. Muscle strain
• D. Joint laxity

Answer: (B)

The Galeazzi sign is an important clinical indication often assessed in pediatric patients during a physical examination, particularly to evaluate conditions related to hip and lower extremity alignment. The presence of this sign indicates a discrepancy in limb length, specifically showing that one knee is lower than the other when a patient lies supine with flexed knees. This can suggest leg length insufficiency or disparity between the two legs, which can be a sign of developing issues, such as developmental dysplasia of the hip or postural abnormalities.

In this context, the Galeazzi sign specifically points towards an issue with leg length rather than the other options provided, which are more associated with specific joint conditions or deficiencies. For instance, hip dislocation reflects a displacement of the hip joint itself, while muscle strain pertains to soft tissue injuries rather than bone or joint alignment. Joint laxity refers to the degree of looseness in a joint and is not directly indicative of leg length issues as shown by the Galeazzi sign. Thus, the presence of this sign serves as a crucial diagnostic clue towards leg length insufficiency.