pathological fractures Flashcards
1
Q
who gets them?
what is the typical history?
A
- old osteoporotic patients
- osteogenesis imperfect if young
- minimal trauma
2
Q
why should you not do early fixation of these fractures?
A
- important to work out the cause
- biopsy needs to be taken
- if malignant then you risk disseminating the cancer cells
3
Q
name some causes of a pathological fracture in children?
A
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Simple bone cyst
- Osteosarcoma
- Bone mets
4
Q
causes in adults?
A
- osteoporosis
- cancer (renal cell carcinoma mets)
- osteomyelitis (infection)
- Pagets disease
5
Q
what is a fragility fracture?
A
- subtype of pathological fracture occurring as a result of normal activities
- fall from a standing height or less
6
Q
what are the most common type of fragility fractures?
how do fragility fractures present in long bones?
A
- vertebral fractures
- NOF
- Colles
- chalk stick fractures in long bones
- compression fractures collapses vertebral bodies
