Final answer:
Symptoms of an avulsion fracture include pain, swelling, and potential loss of functional ability. Severity may vary due to individual pain tolerance, and muscles and tendons can sometimes still function normally, despite the presence of a fracture.
Step-by-step explanation:
An avulsion fracture is a type of fracture where a fragment of bone is separated from the main mass due to the pulling force of an attached tendon or ligament. This injury often occurs in association with other damage to surrounding muscles and ligaments, which can result in a spectrum of symptoms that extend beyond the immediate area of the fracture. Symptoms of an avulsion fracture typically include pain that may be greater than expected, swelling, bruising (although not always immediately visible), and possibly a loss of functional ability or range of motion in the affected limb. In children, such fractures may result in damage to nearby arteries or nerves, leading to ischemia or nerve injury.
The reality is that the level of pain experienced depends on the individual's pain tolerance, and thus it can vary greatly. For instance, some individuals may continue to use a limb despite having an avulsion fracture, while others may experience intense pain from associated ligament sprains or muscle strains, sometimes more so than the fracture itself. It's also possible for the muscles and tendons to still move the bone normally even when a fracture is present, especially if the bones remain properly aligned.