Which sign may indicate a potential hip fracture?

• A. Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
• B. Swelling and redness in the knee
• C. A full range of motion in the hip
• D. Normal reflex responses in the lower extremities

Answer: (A)

Inability to bear weight on the affected leg is a significant indicator of a potential hip fracture. When a hip fracture occurs, the individual may experience severe pain and instability in the hip joint, which can make weight-bearing activities extremely painful or impossible. The inability to put weight on the leg is a common symptom suggesting that there is an underlying serious injury, such as a fracture.

Other signs, such as swelling and redness in the knee or full range of motion in the hip, may not specifically point to a hip fracture. Swelling and redness can occur with a variety of other conditions, including knee injuries or infections, and a full range of motion typically suggests that there is no significant mechanical obstruction such as a fracture. Furthermore, normal reflex responses in the lower extremities do not provide an indication of a fracture; instead, they reflect the integrity of the nervous system and can sometimes be present even in the case of fractures.