What is a pathological fracture of the spine?
A pathologic fracture is a break in a bone that is caused by an underlying disease. At the Spine Hospital at the Neurological Institute of New York, we specialize in pathologic fractures of vertebrae, or bones of the spine. For the most part, bones need a reason to break–for example, a significant trauma.
Is a compression fracture traumatic or pathological?
Compression fractures may be considered traumatic or pathologic. Review the medical record to determine whether there was significant trauma to cause the compression fracture. If the documentation is unclear, ask the physician for clarification.
What is the difference between pathological and traumatic fractures?
A bone fracture is a complete or incomplete discontinuity of bone caused by a direct or indirect force. A pathological bone fracture is a bone fracture which occurs without adequate trauma and is caused by a preexistent pathological bone lesion.
Which is an example of a pathologic fracture?
A pathological fracture is one in which breaks in the bone were caused by an underlying disease. Examples of pathological fractures include those caused by cancer (see Figure 1), osteoporosis, or other bone diseases.
How is a pathological fracture treated?
Treatments for Pathologic Fractures
- Prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable.
- Limit your physical activity until the pathologic fracture heals completely.
- Put you in a back or leg brace for stability and to remove pressure from the affected area.
What is the most common pathological fracture?
Pathologic Fractures The femoral neck and head are the most common locations for pathologic fracture because of the propensity for metastases to involve proximal bones and because of the stress of weight placed on this part of the femur.
Can a compression fracture be pathological?
Although all compression fractures have an underlying pathology, the term pathologic vertebral compression fracture (pVCF) is traditionally reserved for fractures that result from primary or metastatic spine tumors.
Where do pathological fractures occur?
Pathologic fractures most commonly occur in the proximal humerus and humeral shaft.
Do pathological fractures hurt?
Pathologic fractures don’t always have symptoms. When they do, they share the same symptoms as an injury-related fracture. These include: mild to severe pain near the broken bone.
How do you fix a pathological fracture?
Treatments for Pathologic Fractures The goals of treatment are pain relief, reversal or stabilization of neurological deficits, and stabilization of the spine. Avoiding surgery for fractures is recommended, especially for very brittle bones. Instead, your doctor may: Prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable.