In the acute setting, which finding differentiates a fracture from a simple contusion?

• A. Contusion Is Soft Tissue Swelling With Intact Bone
• B. Fracture Shows Deformity, Focal Bone Tenderness, Crepitus, Inability to Bear Weight
• C. Fracture With Swelling Only
• D. Contusion With Open Wound

Answer: (B)

In the acute setting, signs that point to a fracture are about disruption of bone integrity and the functional consequence. A fracture commonly presents with deformity, focal tenderness directly over the affected bone, possible crepitus (the crackling or grinding sensation from bone ends), and an inability to bear weight due to bone injury and pain. These findings together strongly indicate a broken bone rather than a soft tissue bruise.

A contusion, by contrast, is a soft tissue injury. It typically causes swelling and tenderness, but there is no targeted deformity or evidence of disrupted bone along the palpated area, and weight-bearing can often be preserved unless pain limits it.

So the description that captures a fracture most completely—deformity, focal bone tenderness, crepitus, and inability to bear weight—best differentiates it from a simple contusion.