American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) Orthopedic Practice Test 2026 - Free Orthopedic Practice Questions and Study Guide

The statement indicating that the extremity usually appears shortened and falls into internal rotation is actually true in the context of hip fractures. When a hip fracture occurs, particularly an intracapsular fracture or a fracture of the femoral neck, the typical presentation involves the affected limb being shortened and often externally rotated, rather than internally rotated. This occurs due to the muscle contractions around the hip joint, pulling the limb in a specific direction.

The other statements are accurate regarding hip fractures. Pain is commonly felt in the groin or radiating down the thigh, and X-rays in at least two planes are standard practice to fully assess fracture details and confirm the diagnosis. Furthermore, patients with impacted fractures may indeed retain the ability to bear weight and walk, as the fracture is non-displaced and stable. Thus, the statement about the extremity's positioning can be identified as not true when considering the clinical presentation of hip fractures.