What is a common sign of a closed fracture?

Discoloration is a common sign of a closed fracture because when a bone breaks, it can cause damage to the surrounding tissues, including blood vessels. This damage often leads to bruising, which manifests as discoloration around the injury site. The presence of discoloration indicates bleeding or pooling of blood beneath the skin without an open wound, which is characteristic of a closed fracture.

Other options, while associated with fractures in general, do not specifically highlight the uniqueness of closed fractures. Extreme swelling can occur with various types of fractures and is not exclusive to closed ones. Intense pain without visible signs can happen with many injuries, not just fractures. Limited range of motion is a symptom that can accompany numerous types of injuries and does not specifically indicate that a fracture is closed. Thus, discoloration serves as a direct indicator of the impact on soft tissues due to a closed fracture.