What symptom is critical to report immediately for a patient who has fallen and fractured their right tibia and fibula?

Paresthesia of the foot is critical to report immediately because it may indicate compromised circulation or nerve function in the lower extremity due to the injury. When a patient has fallen and sustained fractures to the tibia and fibula, there is a risk that swelling or displaced bone fragments could be compressing nerves or blood vessels. Paresthesia, which involves sensations such as tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" feeling, can be an early sign of a potential compartment syndrome or nerve injury. This condition requires urgent evaluation and intervention to prevent long-term damage.

While the other symptoms—such as inability to walk, severe swelling around the ankle, and bruising—are certainly concerning and warrant attention, they do not carry the same immediate implications for acute management as paresthesia. Inability to walk may simply indicate the severity of the fracture, severe swelling can be a common response to injury, and bruising, although indicative of trauma, is not as critical a sign of nerve or vascular injury as paresthesia is. Therefore, recognizing and addressing paresthesia promptly is essential in this scenario.