What is a common symptom of a fracture?

Pain at the injury site is a hallmark symptom of a fracture. When a bone is fractured, it exposes the sensitive nerve endings in the surrounding tissue, which leads to significant pain. This pain can be intense and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling and tenderness. The pain serves as a signal that something is wrong, prompting individuals to seek medical attention.

While swelling and stiffness can also be associated with fractures, they are not as universally prominent or immediate as pain following the injury. Swelling typically occurs as a result of inflammation and tissue damage in the area surrounding the fracture. Stiffness often develops after the injury and may indicate a longer-term issue with mobility, while numbness in the limb could suggest nerve damage or a more complex injury rather than a simple fracture symptom on its own. Understanding the primary symptoms of fractures is crucial for recognizing and appropriately responding to this common musculoskeletal injury.