How to treat pathological bone fracture?
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A 63-year-old man had been in excellent health until an erythematous, papular rash developed on his extremities. Additional symptoms arose during the next few weeks. including an increase in abdominal girth and progressive swelling of his lower extremities. His dermatologist noted ascites and scleral icterus, so he was referred to an endocrinologist. Additional workup revealed a leukocytosis of 110,000 cells/microliter with a left shift, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a computed tomography (CT) scan notable for hepatosplenomegaly and ascites.
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@srabani Treating a pathologic fracture depends on the underlying condition. Many diseases weaken your bones, but don’t affect their ability to heal. In these cases, you’ll likely just need a cast or a splint. Depending on the location of the fracture, you may need a pin, plate, or screw to hold the bone in place while it heals. You’ll need to rest and avoid activities that require using parts of your body affected by the fracture while you heal. Recovery can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the affected body part. If the fracture was caused by a condition that makes it hard for your bones to heal, you may need additional treatment, such as surgery. Depending on your underlying condition, your doctor may decide it’s best to focus on managing your symptoms.