A Pathologic Fracture develops not due to an assault to a specific bone but due to another disease process. This may also result from doing routine activities. Nevertheless, a pathologic fracture can be largely blamed from other pathologies such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget’s disease, infection, genetic bone disorder, cyst and tumors and certain types of cancer.

For instance, a growing tumor near the pelvic region would cause weakening of the hip bone and eventually losing its function. Such that when an individual falls from a standing height, he would sustain fracture probably over the pelvic bone. In individuals with healthy bones, this does not happen. They may fall from a standing height but there would be no evidence of a broken bone. This can then be referred to as pathologic fracture. Thus, pathologic fracture may sometimes be referred to as the weakening of bones due to another disease or condition. Several examinations would help lead to the diagnosis of pathologic fracture. The normal modes of diagnosing the condition include skeletal history, bone scan and biopsy as well.

It is often difficult to treat pathologic fractures. Most of the time treatment would include resolving the underlying pathology which can be considered as the main culprit of fracture development. At times, pathologic fractures can also be managed in the same way that normal fractures are. There are also certain instances in which a more sophisticated treatment is required. Common locations of pathologic fracture include the vertebral column, the femur and the wrist.