{"id":24204,"date":"2026-01-13T14:16:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T14:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/?p=24204"},"modified":"2026-02-11T09:40:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T09:40:43","slug":"fractures-pathologiques-symptomes-urgence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/fractures-pathologiques-symptomes-urgence\/","title":{"rendered":"Pathological fractures: definition, causes, symptoms and when to consult a doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a pathological fracture?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>THE&nbsp;<strong>pathological fractures<\/strong>&nbsp;These are particular bone fractures because they do not result from violent trauma, but from a&nbsp;<strong>prior weakening of the bone<\/strong>&nbsp;related to an illness. They can occur following a minor impact, or even during a routine daily activity. Their occurrence should always lead to a&nbsp;<strong>thorough medical evaluation<\/strong>because they often reveal an underlying pathology requiring specific treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They correspond to a&nbsp;<strong>bone fracture on abnormal bone tissue<\/strong>Unlike a traumatic fracture, where a healthy bone gives way under the effect of a significant force, a pathological fracture occurs because the bone has lost its strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may appear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>without identifiable trauma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>after a fall from a low height,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>during a normal effort such as walking, standing up or carrying a light object.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathological fractures primarily involve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>elderly people,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>patients with bone diseases,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>people suffering from cancers with bone involvement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the main causes of pathological fractures?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathological fractures are always linked to a&nbsp;<strong>structural damage to the bone<\/strong>The most frequent causes are as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Osteoporosis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Osteoporosis is the&nbsp;<strong>most frequent cause<\/strong>&nbsp;of pathological fracture. It is characterized by a decrease in bone density and quality, making the bone more fragile. Osteoporotic fractures mainly affect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>vertebrae (compression fractures),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the femoral neck,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the wrist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bone cancers and metastases<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many cancers can weaken the bone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>primary bone cancers,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>bone metastases originating from breast, prostate, lung or kidney cancers,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>malignant blood disorders such as multiple myeloma.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In these situations, the fracture may be the&nbsp;<strong>first telltale sign of the disease<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bone and metabolic diseases<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain chronic diseases alter bone structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>osteomalacia (mineralization defect),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>endocrine diseases (hyperparathyroidism),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>bone infections,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>rare genetic diseases affecting bone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Most frequent locations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathological fractures occur preferentially at the level of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>of the&nbsp;<strong>vertebrae<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>of&nbsp;<strong>femur<\/strong>&nbsp;(especially proximal),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>of&nbsp;<strong>basin<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>of the&nbsp;<strong>coasts<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>of the<strong>humerus<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These locations are particularly at risk because they are subjected to significant mechanical stresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Symptoms: how to recognize a pathological fracture?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The symptoms may be&nbsp;<strong>less spectacular<\/strong>&nbsp;than in a traumatic fracture, which explains diagnostic delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most frequent signs are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>progressive bone pain<\/strong>, sometimes old,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pain appearing without impact or after minimal exertion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>persistent pain<\/strong>even when resting or at night,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>progressive decrease in mobility,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>loss of height or chronic back pain in case of vertebral fracture,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>deformation or shortening of a limb in advanced forms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In patients with cancer or known osteoporosis, any unusual bone pain should be considered a&nbsp;<strong>warning signal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When should you seek emergency medical attention?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A prompt medical consultation is essential in the following situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Intense bone pain without obvious trauma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>persistent pain despite rest and painkillers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sudden inability to walk or use a limb,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>appearance of a deformation or subsidence,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fracture occurring in a person with cancer,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>rapid worsening of known bone pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In older adults, a pathological fracture may go unnoticed. Any fall, even a minor one, associated with prolonged pain should prompt a medical consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How is the diagnosis made?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The diagnosis is based on several complementary steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clinical examination<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The doctor assesses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the location and intensity of the pain,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mobility,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the patient&#039;s general condition,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical history (osteoporosis, cancer, treatments).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medical imaging<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>X-ray<\/strong>&nbsp;: first examination, allowing visualization of the fracture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scanner<\/strong>&nbsp;: useful for analyzing bone structure and stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MRI<\/strong>&nbsp;: essential for detecting early bone lesions or tumors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bone scintigraphy<\/strong>&nbsp;: sometimes used to look for multiple lesions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Etiological assessment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In the case of a pathological fracture, it is essential to determine the cause:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>biological assessment,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>bone densitometry,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oncological examinations if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Care and treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The treatment of a pathological fracture relies on a&nbsp;<strong>dual approach<\/strong>&nbsp;: treat the fracture and treat the underlying disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fracture treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the location and severity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>immobilization by splint or cast,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>orthopedic surgery (nails, plates, prostheses),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preventive stabilization to avoid a complete fracture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treating the cause<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>treatment of osteoporosis (calcium, vitamin D, specific treatments),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cancer care in the event of cancer,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>treatment of metabolic or infectious diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rehabilitation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Functional rehabilitation is essential for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>restore mobility,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prevent loss of independence,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reduce the risk of further fractures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Functional consequences and long-term follow-up after a pathological fracture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the fracture itself, a pathological fracture can have&nbsp;<strong>significant repercussions on quality of life<\/strong>, particularly in the elderly or those with chronic illnesses. Its impact often extends beyond the acute event and requires a&nbsp;<strong>prolonged medical follow-up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact on mobility and autonomy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathological fractures frequently affect key areas of the skeleton, such as the femur or vertebrae. They can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a temporary or permanent loss of mobility,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>difficulty walking or standing up,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a partial or total dependence for everyday tasks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In elderly patients, these functional limitations increase the risk of&nbsp;<strong>loss of autonomy<\/strong>repeated falls and prolonged hospitalizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Importance of regular medical follow-up<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>After a pathological fracture, follow-up is not limited to bone healing. It includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>monitoring the disease responsible for bone fragility,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the assessment of the risk of new fractures,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>adapting long-term treatments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>monitoring rehabilitation and functional recovery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Coordinated follow-up between the attending physician, specialist and rehabilitation professionals is essential to limit relapses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prevention of pathological fractures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Prevention is based on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>screening and treatment of osteoporosis,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>monitoring of cancer patients,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fall prevention,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>maintaining muscle strength and balance,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a diet adapted to bone health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathological fractures are fractures that reveal a&nbsp;<strong>underlying bone fragility<\/strong>Their occurrence should always lead to a&nbsp;<strong>complete medical evaluation<\/strong>because they can be the first sign of a serious illness. Early recognition of symptoms, prompt consultation, and appropriate treatment are essential to limit complications and preserve quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fracture pathologique : causes, sympt\u00f4mes et quand consulter sans attendre.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23834,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fractures"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}