Which statement describes pain onset for a hip fracture?

• A. Pain begins weeks after injury
• B. Pain is intermittent and unrelated to trauma
• C. Pain improves with rest
• D. Pain is typically acute immediately after trauma

Answer: (D)

Pain onset for a hip fracture is typically acute and immediate. The fracture happens at the moment of injury (often a fall or direct blow), tearing bone and surrounding tissues and producing sudden, severe hip or groin pain. This pain is usually constant and worsens with movement or weight-bearing, and the patient often cannot lift or bear weight on the affected leg. This pattern helps distinguish it from conditions where pain starts later, occurs intermittently, or improves noticeably with rest. In addition to the abrupt onset, you’ll often see the leg held in a shortened, externally rotated position due to muscle spasm and the fracture itself, which reinforces the need for urgent evaluation and imaging.