A patient who fell and cannot move their left leg likely has what type of injury?

The scenario describes a patient who fell and is unable to move their left leg, indicating a potential injury to the musculoskeletal system. The correct response highlights a closed musculoskeletal injury, which is characterized by damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones without any break in the skin. This would align with the inability to move the leg, suggesting an internal injury rather than visible external trauma.

In a closed injury, the absence of any wounds or open breaks signifies that the soft tissues surrounding the affected area may still be intact, although there might be internal damage such as a sprain, strain, or less severe fracture that does not involve an open wound.

Other types of injuries, like an open musculoskeletal injury, would involve visible wounds that expose bone or surrounding tissues, which does not apply here. A fracture and a dislocation could both be possibilities, but they are specific types of closed injuries. Therefore, the classification of the injury as simply a closed musculoskeletal injury captures a broader understanding of potential internal damages without the complications that may arise from open injuries.