Which of the following clients presenting to the emergency department would most likely be diagnosed with a pathologic stress fracture?

Question

A) A teenager who fell of a ladder and hit the concrete driveway, landing on his hip
B) A postmenopausal female who was diagnosed with breast cancer with metastasis to bone
C) A competitive volleyball player diving to retrieve a volley and landing on his hip
D) A weight lifter who bench-presses 200 kg lost balance and fell to the side, landing on his hip

Answer 1

Ans: B
Feedback:
A pathologic stress fracture occurs in bones that already are weakened by disease or tumors. Fractures of this type may occur spontaneously with little or no stress. The underlying disease state can be local, as with infections, cysts, or tumors, or it can be generalized, as in osteoporosis, Paget disease, or disseminated tumors. A fatigue fracture results from repeated excessive wear on a bone. The most common fractures are those resulting from sudden direct impact, such as from a fall or blow, or indirect, such as a massive muscle contraction injury.