Clinical manifestation : Fractures

Clinical manifestation

Localized pain
Decreased function
Inability to bear weight or use
Guard against movement
May or may not have deformity
Immobilize if suspected fracture

Manifestation	Description	Significance
Edema and swelling	Disruption or penetration of skin or soft tissues by bone fragments, or bleeding into surrounding tissues	Unchecked bleeding and swelling in closed space can occlude blood vessels and damage nerves (e.g., increased risk of compartment syndrome).
Pain and Tenderness	Muscle spasm due to involuntary reflex action of muscle, direct tissue trauma, increased pressure on nerves, movement of fracture fragments.	Pain and tenderness encourage the patient to splint muscle around fracture and reduce motion of injured area.
Muscle Spasm	Irritation of tissues and protective response to injury and fracture.	Muscle spasms may displace nondisplaced fracture or prevent it from reducing spontaneously
Deformity	Abnormal position of extremity or part as result of original forces of injury and action of muscles pulling fragment into abnormal position. Seen as a loss of normal bony contours.	Deformity is cardinal sign of fracture. If uncorrected, it may result in problems with bony union and restoration of function of injured part.
Contusion	Discoloration of skin (bruising) as a result of extravasation of blood in subcutaneous tissues.	Bruising may appear immediately after injury and may appear distal to injury. Reassure patient that process is normal and discoloration will eventually resolve.
Loss of Function	Disruption of bone or joint, preventing functional use of limb or part.	Fracture must be managed properly to ensure restoration of function to limb or part
Crepitation	Grating or crunching of bony fragments, producing palpable or audible crunching or popping sensation	Crepitation may increase chance for nonunion if bone ends are allowed to move excessively Micromovement of fragments (postfracture) assists in osteogenesis (new bone growth).