Physiological fracture and pathological fracture: differences
Disease description:
I recently fell accidentally and ended up with a fracture. My doctor said it was a pathological fracture, which worries me a lot. I would like to know what exactly is the difference between a physiological (traumatic) fracture and a pathological fracture?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Physiological fractures and pathological fractures are two distinct classifications of fractures, primarily differentiated based on their causes and underlying conditions.
1. Physiological fracture: This typically refers to a fracture caused by direct or indirect external force acting upon normal bone, resulting in disruption of bone structure. These fractures commonly occur in cases of accidental injuries, sports-related trauma, or falls from a height. A physiological fracture indicates that under normal physiological conditions, the bone is unable to withstand the impact of external forces, leading to the fracture. It is commonly seen in elderly individuals. Such fractures are often associated with structural abnormalities of the bone itself, osteoporosis, or long-term accumulation of stress.
2. Pathological fracture: This refers to a fracture that occurs when the bone is already affected by disease or abnormalities. These diseases or abnormalities may include osteoporosis, bone tumors, osteomyelitis, and bone tuberculosis, which reduce the structural integrity and strength of the bone, causing it to break under minimal or even no external force. These fractures exhibit typical features of fractures, such as pain, swelling, and impaired limb function. However, due to the presence of underlying diseases, treatment is generally more challenging.
