What associated symptoms are typically noted with an extremity injury?

Swelling, bruising, deformity, and use limitation are classic symptoms associated with an extremity injury. When a limb is injured, whether from a fracture, strain, sprain, or other trauma, the body's inflammatory response is activated, leading to swelling as fluid and white blood cells accumulate in the affected area. Bruising occurs when small blood vessels are damaged, allowing blood to leak into surrounding tissues.

Deformity can manifest as a visible distortion in the shape or alignment of the bone or joint. For instance, in the case of a fracture or dislocation, the normal anatomical positioning of bones may be altered, which is a clear indicator of an injury. Use limitation refers to the decreased ability to use the affected limb, making it painful or difficult to move, grasp, or put weight on the injured part.

The other options describe symptoms that are not specifically linked to typical extremity injuries. Midline pulsatile abdominal masses are more closely associated with vascular issues such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Hypotension and unequal femoral pulses can indicate significant vascular compromise, often related to major trauma or severe systemic issues rather than isolated extremity injuries. Numbness and tingling may suggest nerve involvement or compression but are not universally