Which finding most supports a diagnosis of a femur fracture in this trauma patient?

Which finding most supports a diagnosis of a femur fracture in this trauma patient?

• A. Pain to mid femur on the left leg
• B. Strong pedal pulse
• C. Left leg externally rotated
• D. Pink skin

Answer: (C)

A leg that is externally rotated after trauma is a strong indicator of a femur fracture. When the femur is fractured, the surrounding muscles pull on the broken fragments, often causing the limb to twist outward and sometimes shorten. This rotation deformity is more specific to a fracture than other signs. Pain to the mid-femur can occur with many injuries and isn’t definitive on its own. A strong pedal pulse and pink skin show that circulation is present, but neither confirms a fracture. So the visible rotation of the leg best supports the diagnosis in this scenario.

A leg that is externally rotated after trauma is a strong indicator of a femur fracture. When the femur is fractured, the surrounding muscles pull on the broken fragments, often causing the limb to twist outward and sometimes shorten. This rotation deformity is more specific to a fracture than other signs.

Pain to the mid-femur can occur with many injuries and isn’t definitive on its own. A strong pedal pulse and pink skin show that circulation is present, but neither confirms a fracture. So the visible rotation of the leg best supports the diagnosis in this scenario.