Treatment of stress fractures in athletes with intravenous pamidronate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the use of a second-generation biphosphonate, pamidronate, is an effective treatment option for stress fractures in intercollegiate athletes. Pamidronate is successfully used to increase bone mass in patients with Charcot arthropathy and osteoporosis.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Academic sports medicine clinic with primary responsibility for intercollegiate athletics.


METHODS
Five intercollegiate female athletes.


METHODS
Intravenous pamidronate administered weekly for a total of 5 treatments.


METHODS
Athletes' ability to continue training without restrictions.


RESULTS
Four of 5 treated athletes were able to continue training and competition within 1 week of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Pamidronate may be a useful adjunct to the treatment of stress fractures.
Stewart
Gregory W
GW
Department of Orthopaedics, SL-32, Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine, Tulane University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. gstewart@tulane.edu
Brunet
Michael E
ME
Manning
Melvin R
MR
Davis
Frederick A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D000077268:Pamidronate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate