A pathologic fracture is due to disease or weakened bone.

A pathologic fracture is due to disease or weakened bone.

• A. Disease or weakened bone
• B. Direct trauma
• C. Overuse
• D. Malnutrition

Answer: (A)

Pathologic fracture occurs because the bone is weakened by an underlying disease, so a fracture can happen with little or no trauma. When bone strength is compromised by conditions such as osteoporosis, metastatic cancer to bone, infection, or other bone disorders, even normal daily stresses can cause a break. This contrasts with fractures from direct trauma, which happen in otherwise healthy bone when a significant force is applied; or with stress fractures from repetitive loading in a normal bone. Malnutrition can contribute to poor bone health, but the defining idea behind a pathologic fracture is the presence of an underlying disease that weakens the bone.

Pathologic fracture occurs because the bone is weakened by an underlying disease, so a fracture can happen with little or no trauma. When bone strength is compromised by conditions such as osteoporosis, metastatic cancer to bone, infection, or other bone disorders, even normal daily stresses can cause a break. This contrasts with fractures from direct trauma, which happen in otherwise healthy bone when a significant force is applied; or with stress fractures from repetitive loading in a normal bone. Malnutrition can contribute to poor bone health, but the defining idea behind a pathologic fracture is the presence of an underlying disease that weakens the bone.