What is a common symptom of a fractured extremity?

Pain and swelling are indeed common symptoms of a fractured extremity. When an extremity is fractured, the body's immediate response involves inflammation, which leads to swelling in the affected area. Pain occurs due to the injury itself, as well as from the surrounding tissues being affected by the trauma. Nerve endings in the area become more sensitive, contributing to the experience of pain.

In contrast, increased flexibility would not typically be associated with a fracture, as the injury often leads to decreased mobility due to pain and instability. Complete numbness can indicate nerve damage or other serious complications, but it is not a direct symptom of a fracture itself. Persistent itching may occur in various conditions or during healing but is not a primary symptom of a fracture. Thus, pain and swelling are the hallmark signs that indicate the presence of a fracture in an extremity.