Atypical Fracture of Femur: Likely Related to Long-term Bisphosphonate Use.
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Date
2014-09
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Abstract
Bisphosphonates are widely prescribed and highly effective at limiting the bone loss that occurs in many disorders characterized
by increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, including senile osteoporosis in both men and women. Although, they are
generally well-tolerated, potential adverse effects may limit bisphosphonate use in some patients. Optimal use of bisphosphonates
for osteoporosis requires adequate calcium and vitamin D intake before and during therapy. Long-term adverse effects of
bisphosphonate therapy include osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical fractures of femur. We report a case of a 78-year-old man
who presented with pain and inability to move the left thigh from 11 am on the day of admission. He was diagnosed to have
transverse subtrochanteric fracture of the left femur with relatively thick cortex. He had been religiously taking alendronate
(a bisphosphonates) 70 mg once a week along with calcium preparation (elemental calcium 500 mg with cholecalciferol 250 units
twice-daily) for 5 years. With this background of a ‘chalk stick’ like transverse fracture of the subtrochanteric region of femur in
an otherwise healthy elderly man, an ‘atypical fracture of femur’ from long-term use of bishphosphonates was the likely cause.
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Keywords
Bisphosphonates, senile osteoporosis, adverse effects, atypical fractures of femur, alendronate
Citation
Ghatala Muhammed Zohaib, Mahadevan Shriraam. Atypical Fracture of Femur: Likely Related to Long-term Bisphosphonate Use. Indian Journal of Clinical Practice. 2014 Sept; 25(4): 372-373.