fragility fractures

(noun)

Fragility fracture is a type of pathologic fracture that occurs as result of normal activities, such as a fall from standing height or less, suggesting a weakness of the skeleton.

Related Terms

Examples of fragility fractures in the following topics:

  • Aging and the Skeleton

    • In osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced and the integrity of bone proteins is altered, increasing the risk of fracture.
    • Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture .
    • Osteoporotic fractures are those that occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone.
    • Fractures resulting from osteoporosis are regarded as fragility fractures.
    • Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, rib, hip, and wrist.

  • Osteoporosis

    • Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture.
    • An interplay of these three mechanisms underlies the development of fragile bone tissue.
    • Its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures.
    • They are, therefore, regarded as fragility fractures.
    • Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, rib, hip, and wrist.

  • Hip Fracture

    • A hip fracture is a femoral fracture that occurs in the proximal end of the femur (the long bone running through the thigh) near the hip.
    • A hip fracture is a femoral fracture that occurs in the proximal end of the femur (the long bone running through the thigh) near the hip .
    • Hip fractures are often due to osteoporosis.
    • In the vast majority of cases, a hip fracture is a fragility fracture due to a fall or minor trauma in someone with weakened osteoporotic bone.
    • Patients with hip fractures are at high risk for future fractures, including hip, wrist, shoulder, and spine.

  • Bone Remodeling

    • Clinical Note: Osteoporosis means porous bone, which is caused by an over-reaction to osteoclastic bone resorption, and makes bones quite fragile for the elderly.
    • Hip fractures are especially troublesome as they result in a long recovery period during which complications that may lead to death are quite common.

  • Fractures

  • Metatarsal Fracture

    • Fractures commonly include the 5th metatarsal (a Jones fracture) or fractures of the distal third of one of the metatarsal (March fracture).
    • A Jones fracture is a fracture of the diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal of the foot .
    • If a Jones fracture fails to unite, which is a common problem with these fractures, it can become a chronic condition.
    • A March fracture, also known as fatigue fracture or stress fracture of metatarsal bone, is the fracture of the distal third of one of the metatarsals occurring because of recurrent stress, such as is sustained by soldiers during prolonged periods of marching.
    • Analyze why a Jones fracture of the 5th metatarsal often does not heal and the causes of a March fracture of the metatarsal bone

  • Fractures of the Vertebral Column

    • A spinal fracture (or vertebral fracture) is a fracture affecting the bones of the spinal column.
    • A spinal fracture (or vertebral fracture) is a fracture affecting the bones of the spinal column.
    • A compression fracture is a collapse of vertebra.
    • A cervical fracture is commonly called a broken neck .
    • Considerable force is needed to cause a cervical fracture.

  • Clavicle Fracture

    • A clavicle fracture is a bone fracture in the clavicle or collarbone.
    • A clavicle fracture is a bone fracture in the clavicle or collarbone .
    • Children and infants are particularly prone to clavicle fracture.
    • Newborns often present clavicle fractures following a difficult delivery.
    • The clavicle is usually fractured in the middle third of its length, which is its weakest point.

  • Osteomalacia and Rickets

    • Osteomalacia may show signs as diffuse body pains, muscle weakness, and fragility of the bones.
    • Rickets is a softening of bones in children due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, or calcium, potentially leading to fractures and deformity.
    • Infants with rickets often suffer bone fractures.

  • Bone Repair

    • Bone fractures are repaired through physiological processes in the periosteum via chrondroblasts and osteoblasts.
    • Bone healing, or fracture healing, is a proliferative physiological process in which the body facilitates the repair of a bone fracture.
    • Days after a fracture, the cells of the periosteum replicate and transform.
    • When the humerus in the upper arm is fractured and properly set, bone healing can repair the bone.
    • This figure depicts a communitive midshaft humeral fracture with callus formation.