A pathological fracture is a break in a bone that is caused by an underlying disease, rather than a significant trauma. The weakened bones caused by the underlying disease can break due to forces as slight as the weight of the body or a minor trauma that would otherwise be tolerated. Pathological fractures can occur through areas of weakened bone attributed to either primary malignant lesions, benign lesions, or other conditions that may lead to pathologic bone fractures. Some common diseases that cause pathological fractures include osteoporosis, cancer, osteomalacia, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Symptoms of pathological fractures may include mild to severe pain near the fractured bone, pain in the back, legs, and arms, tenderness, bruising, and swelling near the broken bone, and numbness, tingling, or weakness near the broken bone.

To diagnose a pathological fracture, a doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a complete physical examination. If a pathological fracture is suspected, the doctor may order diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, and certain laboratory tests may be performed to assess calcium levels. A biopsy may also be performed to determine the exact cause of the fracture.

The treatment of a pathological fracture depends on the underlying condition. Many diseases weaken bones but don’t affect their ability to heal. In these cases, a cast or a splint may be enough. Depending on the location of the fracture, a pin, plate, or screw may be needed to hold the bone in place while it heals.