pathologic fracture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pathologic fracture" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in medical contexts to describe a fracture that occurs in a bone weakened by disease, rather than from an injury or trauma. Example: "The patient was diagnosed with osteoporosis, which led to a pathologic fracture of the hip."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ahlers E, Setabutr D, Garritano F, Adil E, McGinn J. Pathologic fracture of the mandible secondary to traumatic bone cyst.

Harvard University

Bone diseases associated with pathologic fracture are osteomalacia, Paget disease, and radiation injury to bone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cancer spread to the spine affects bone stability and can lead to pathologic fracture and neurologic impairment.

The Spine Journal

In one case, the procedure was performed on a young man with a pathologic fracture (giant cell tumor).

Chirurgie de la Main

Occasionally, hemangiomata may behave in a more aggressive manner, causing pathologic fracture or even symptoms/signs of nerve compression.

The Spine Journal

In the nine (41%) patients in whom pathologic fracture occurred, healing was uneventful after closed reduction and cast immobilization.

Duke University

In this series, 13 (59%) large NOFs had not had pathologic fracture despite exceeding the previously established size threshold.

Duke University

Twenty-two patients with large nonossifying fibromas (NOFs) in weight-bearing bones were studied to evaluate risk of pathologic fracture.

Duke University

Initial symptoms are skin fistula, exposed bone, malocclusion due to pathologic fracture, and pus discharge.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Pathologic fracture occurs when a bone defect develops after operation for bone disease.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

There was one patient with a pathologic fracture of the mandibular symphysis.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting medical cases, use the term "pathologic fracture" to clearly indicate that the fracture occurred due to an underlying disease rather than trauma. This distinction is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Common error

Avoid using "pathologic fracture" interchangeably with "stress fracture". Stress fractures result from repetitive stress on normal bone, while pathologic fractures occur in bones weakened by disease. Ensure accurate terminology for precise communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pathologic fracture" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a medical term. It identifies a type of bone fracture resulting from an underlying pathology rather than acute trauma. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

News & Media

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pathologic fracture" refers to a bone break caused by an underlying disease, rather than trauma. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly used in scientific and academic contexts, as shown by the many examples in Ludwig. The most frequent causes are osteoradionecrosis, infections, and malignancy, as described in the search results. Alternatives include "fracture due to disease" or "fracture secondary to bone disease". When using this term, distinguish it from stress fractures and ensure accurate documentation. Always suspect it in cases of minimal trauma with pre-existing conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fracture due to disease

This alternative directly specifies that the fracture is a result of an underlying disease, emphasizing the cause.

fracture secondary to bone disease

This phrase highlights that the fracture is a consequence of a pre-existing bone condition.

fracture caused by weakened bone

This option focuses on the compromised state of the bone as the reason for the fracture.

spontaneous fracture due to bone abnormality

This alternative suggests the fracture occurred without significant trauma, due to an underlying bone issue.

insufficiency fracture

Insufficiency fracture implies that the fracture happened because of normal stress on abnormal bone.

fracture related to underlying condition

This phrase broadens the scope to include any underlying medical condition affecting the bone.

atraumatic fracture

This option emphasizes the absence of significant trauma as the cause of the fracture.

fracture in diseased bone

This succinctly describes the fracture occurring within bone that is already affected by a disease.

weakness fracture

This alternative uses "weakness" as the key factor leading to the fracture.

fracture from bone compromise

This highlights that the fracture occurred because the bone's structural integrity was already compromised.

FAQs

What exactly does "pathologic fracture" mean?

A "pathologic fracture" is a broken bone that occurs in an area of bone weakened by an underlying disease or condition, such as osteoporosis, cancer, or infection. Unlike typical fractures caused by trauma, these fractures happen because the bone is already compromised.

How does a "pathologic fracture" differ from a typical fracture?

The primary difference lies in the cause. Typical fractures result from significant trauma to healthy bone, while "pathologic fractures" occur in bone weakened by disease. This difference impacts diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

What conditions can lead to a "pathologic fracture"?

Several conditions can weaken bones and increase the risk of "pathologic fracture", including osteoporosis, bone cancer (primary or metastatic), infections, Paget's disease, and radiation therapy to the bone.

When should I suspect a "pathologic fracture"?

Suspect a "pathologic fracture" if a fracture occurs with minimal or no trauma, particularly in individuals with known bone-weakening conditions or a history of cancer. Persistent bone pain without a clear injury should also raise suspicion.