A FACTOR DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF PSEUDOFRACTURES IN OSTEOMALACIA

Abstract

The locations of the pseudofractures occurring in 4 recent cases of osteomalacia at the Presbyterian Hospital and in previously reported cases of osteomalacia are shown to correspond with the locations of main blood vessels which lie on the bone. It is suggested that the mechanical stress caused by the vessels may result in small breaks in the cortex with subsequent laying down of callus which, in osteomalacia, is un-calcified. This mechanism explains the symmetrical appearance of the pseudofractures in otherwise normal-appearing bone and their location at sites not usually subjected to other mechanical stresses.