Which term describes a fracture that occurs without trauma, usually linked to an underlying condition?

The term that describes a fracture occurring without trauma and is often associated with an underlying medical condition is a pathologic fracture. This type of fracture is not the result of a direct injury but rather occurs in bones that are weakened due to conditions such as osteoporosis, malignancies, or other diseases that compromise bone strength.

Pathologic fractures differ from simple fractures, which typically involve a break in a healthy bone due to a significant force or trauma. Additionally, closed and open fractures refer specifically to whether the skin is broken or intact upon injury, and do not inherently relate to the underlying health of the bone. Therefore, pathologic fractures are characterized by their non-traumatic nature and association with pre-existing health issues, making this response the most accurate choice.