ATLS Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Guide for Exam Preparation

A shortened, internally rotated leg is a classic clinical sign that suggests a hip dislocation, particularly an anterior dislocation. In this condition, the affected leg is often positioned in a way that minimizes discomfort, leading to its shortened appearance and the internal rotation of the hip joint. When the femoral head is displaced from the acetabulum, it compromises the usual alignment and balance of the limb, resulting in the leg being drawn inward and appearing shorter.

While other injuries like a femoral fracture or pelvic fracture may also alter the position of the leg, they typically present with different characteristics such as pain and leg positioning that are distinct from the clinical scenario of a hip dislocation. In cases of ligamentous injury, the symptoms would potentially be less definitive than the specific presentation of an internally rotated leg seen in hip dislocation. Therefore, considering the mechanism and physical findings, a shortened and internally rotated leg is most indicative of a hip dislocation.