Prediction of pathological fracture in patients with metastatic disease of the lower limb

The aim of this study was to investigate if the risk of pathological fracture can be predicted with the proportion of body weight that can be put through the affected leg in patients with metastatic bone disease of the lower limb. A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with metastatic disease in the lower limb. Receiver Operator Characteristic curves were used to identify the optimum threshold level of single stance weight bearing to predict fracture and compared to the Mirels score. Patients who underwent surgery could weight bear significantly less than those who did not have surgical intervention. The optimum threshold to predict pathological fracture was 85% of total body weight. No patient below the threshold level of 85% single stance body weight sustained a pathological fracture. The use of single stance body weight can be a useful in conjunction with the Mirels score to predict pathological fracture. If less than 85% of total body weight can be put through the affected limb, the risk of fracture increases, and consideration of treatment is suggested.