Pathologic fracture

A broken bone that occurs with minimal or no trauma due to structurally weakened bone.

Causes

• Bone fragility disorders

  • Osteoporosis

  • Osteopenia with advanced bone loss

  • Age-related bone weakening

• Malignant causes

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Primary bone tumors

    • Osteosarcoma

    • Chondrosarcoma

    • Ewing sarcoma

    • Osteochondroma (benign)

    • Fibrous dysplasia (benign)

  • Bone metastases

    • Breast cancer

    • Prostate cancer

    • Lung cancer

    • Renal cell carcinoma

    • Thyroid carcinoma

• Osteomyelitis causing structural weakening

• Genetic bone disorders: Osteogenesis imperfecta

• Endocrine causes

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Hyperparathyroidism

  • Cushing syndrome

  • Hypogonadism

  • Paget’s disease of bone

  • Osteomalacia

  • Vitamin D deficiency

• Medications impairing bone remodeling

  • Long-term corticosteroids

  • Antiepileptic

  • Chemotherapy

• Other risk factors

  • Advanced age

  • Low body weight

  • Malnutrition

  • Calcium deficiency

  • Vitamin D deficiency

  • Prolonged immobilization

  • Chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis)

  • Heavy alcohol consumption

  • Tobacco smoking