FreeMD® Pathologic Bone Fracture Definition

Pathologic Bone Fracture

Definition

Anatomy

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Pathologic Bone Fracture Definition

Common names:

Bone Fracture Pathologic
Pathologic Bone Fracture
Pathologic Fracture

A person with a pathologic fracture has broken a bone that is already weakened by another disease.

Conditions that weaken bones and may result in pathologic fractures include:

Bone tumor
Bone cyst
Metastatic bone cancer
Underlying bone disease:

Pagets disease
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Rickets
Osteoporosis
Fibrous dysplasia

Continue to Pathologic Bone Fracture Anatomy

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Last Updated: Sep 11, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Pathologic Bone Fracture References:

Fayad LM, Kamel IR, Kawamoto S, Bluemke DA, Frassica FJ, Fishman EK. Distinguishing stress fractures from pathologic fractures: a multimodality approach. Skeletal Radiol. 2005 May;34(5):245-59. Epub 2005 Mar 15.
Jacofsky DJ, Haidukewych GJ. Management of pathologic fractures of the proximal femur: state of the art. J Orthop Trauma. 2004 Aug;18(7):459-69.
Verlaan L, van der Wal B, de Maat GJ, Walenkamp G, Nollen-Lopez L, van Ooij A. Primary hyperparathyroidism and pathological fractures: a review. Acta Orthop Belg. 2007 Jun;73(3):300-5.