Which of the following signs typically indicates a fracture?

A fracture is characterized by specific physical signs that indicate injury to the bone and surrounding tissues. The presence of deformity and the inability to use the limb are particularly telling indicators of a fracture. Deformity might manifest as an unnatural angle or position of the limb, suggesting that the bone has been displaced or broken in a way that alters its normal structure. The inability to use the limb is significant because injuries to the skeletal system often result in compromised function, either due to pain, instability, or loss of structural integrity caused by the fracture.

While swelling and redness, intense pain and a bruise, or pale skin and dizziness can accompany various injuries, they are not definitive signs of a fracture on their own. Swelling and redness may indicate soft tissue injury or inflammation rather than bone damage. Intense pain and bruising can occur with numerous types of injuries, and pale skin combined with dizziness might suggest shock or other medical conditions unrelated to bone fractures. Thus, the combination of deformity and the inability to use the limb is the most indicative of a fracture.