Atypical femoral shaft fractures secondary to long-term bisphosphonate therapy.

Kayali, Cemil; Altay, Taskin; Ozan, Firat; Sozkesen, Serkan; Yamak, Kamil · J Orthop · 2017

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are one of the most commonly used agents in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases. Between 2010 and 2015, data of 22 osteoporotic women with femoral fractures due to low-energy trauma who received BPs previously were analysed. The mean duration of BP therapy was 7.6 years. The mean duration of union was 7.4 months. Five patients had non-union. Stress reaction was observed in the contralateral femur in 11 patients. Radiographic studies should be performed on a regular basis to prevent atypical femoral fractures in patients on long-term BP therapy.

Anatomy