Bilateral Femoral Insufficiency Fractures Likely Related to Long-Term Alendronate Therapy
2011
Bilateral Femoral Insufficiency Fractures Likely Related to Long-Term Alendronate Therapy
Sample size: 1
publication
Evidence: low
Author Information
Author(s): Gudena Ravindra, Jason Werle, Kelly Johnston
Primary Institution: Department of Orthopedics, University of Calgary
Hypothesis
Are bilateral femoral insufficiency fractures related to long-term alendronate therapy?
Conclusion
Long-term alendronate therapy is likely associated with femoral insufficiency fractures.
Supporting Evidence
- Long-term alendronate therapy is associated with femoral insufficiency fractures.
- Patients on more than 5 years of alendronate therapy should be reevaluated annually.
- Patients with thigh pain on alendronate therapy should be investigated for femoral stress fractures.
- Insufficiency fractures related to alendronate therapy seldom heal without internal fixation.
Takeaway
If someone takes a medicine called alendronate for a long time, it might make their bones weak and cause fractures in their thighs.
Methodology
Case report of a 74-year-old woman with bilateral femoral insufficiency fractures after long-term alendronate therapy.
Limitations
Only one case is reported, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
74-year-old female with a history of breast cancer and well-controlled asthma.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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