Recognition and treatment of pathologic fractures in the nineteenth century

The spread of cancer to the skeletal system was first clearly recognized in the 19th century, and accounts of pathologic fractures appear in many clinical and pathologic reports published during that period. Noteworthy descriptions included fractures observed in both living patients and in patients who died of cancer. The problems considered by the 19th century physicians included the still timely areas of clinical diagnosis, prevention of fracture, the occurrence of prefracture pain, and treatment by immobilization or operation.