Which sign of a fracture corresponds to a grinding sensation felt or heard at the injury site?

Which sign of a fracture corresponds to a grinding sensation felt or heard at the injury site?

• A. Numbness
• B. Pain with movement
• C. Crepitus
• D. Redness

Answer: (C)

Crepitus is the crackling or grinding sensation or sound felt or heard at the injury site when the ends of fractured bones rub against each other or when gas is released into tissues. This finding is classic for a fracture because it directly reflects disrupted bone alignment and movement at the fracture site. Numbness points to possible nerve injury or compromised blood flow, not the grinding of bone ends. Pain with movement is common with many injuries but isn’t specific to fractures. Redness reflects inflammation or irritation, not the mechanical grinding signal of a fracture. So the grinding sensation described aligns with crepitus.

Crepitus is the crackling or grinding sensation or sound felt or heard at the injury site when the ends of fractured bones rub against each other or when gas is released into tissues. This finding is classic for a fracture because it directly reflects disrupted bone alignment and movement at the fracture site.

Numbness points to possible nerve injury or compromised blood flow, not the grinding of bone ends. Pain with movement is common with many injuries but isn’t specific to fractures. Redness reflects inflammation or irritation, not the mechanical grinding signal of a fracture. So the grinding sensation described aligns with crepitus.