Pathological fractures are fractures that occur as a result of a disease that weakens the bones. The spelling of the word is "pəˈθɒlədʒɪkəl frækʃərz." The first syllable, "pa," is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the second syllable, "tho," is pronounced with an unvoiced "th" sound. The third syllable, "lo," has a long "o" sound, and the fourth syllable, "gi," has a hard "g" sound. The final two syllables, "cal" and "fractures," are pronounced as they are spelled. Understanding the IPA phonetic transcription of words can help in their accurate pronunciations.
Pathological fractures are defined as bone fractures that occur at a site weakened by an underlying disease or abnormality. Unlike traumatic fractures that are the result of trauma or injury, pathological fractures are caused by an underlying condition that weakens the bone, making it more susceptible to breaking.
These fractures typically occur in individuals with pre-existing bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, bone cancer, Paget's disease, or other conditions that compromise bone strength. The weakened bone structure is unable to withstand the normal stress placed upon it during daily activities, resulting in a fracture even with minimal trauma.
The distinctive feature of pathological fractures is that they occur without significant trauma or injury. Everyday activities such as walking, lifting objects, or even turning in bed can cause these fractures to occur. This makes it crucial to identify and diagnose the underlying condition causing the weakening of the bones to prevent debilitating fractures.
The diagnosis of pathological fractures often requires a thorough medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or bone scans. Treatment options for pathological fractures vary depending on the underlying condition causing bone weakening. It may include medications to strengthen bones, surgical intervention to stabilize the fracture, radiation therapy to treat cancerous bone lesions, or chemotherapy for metastatic bone disease.
Ultimately, the management of pathological fractures typically involves both treating the underlying condition and providing appropriate orthopedic care to promote bone healing and regain function, thereby minimizing future fracture risks.
The term "pathological fractures" can be broken down into two parts: "pathological" and "fractures".
1. "Pathological": The word "pathological" comes from the Greek word "pathos", meaning "suffering" or "disease" and the suffix "-ical", which means "pertaining to" or "related to". So, "pathological" refers to something related to diseases or abnormalities.
2. "Fractures": The word "fractures" is derived from the Latin word "fractūra", which means "a break" or "a rupture".
Therefore, "pathological fractures" refers to fractures that occur as a result of an underlying disease or abnormality, rather than due to some physical trauma.