Spontaneous femoral shaft fracture after long-term alendronate.
Alendronate is used as first-line treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women worldwide. The evidence supporting its benefit in reducing the risk of fragility fracture among this high-risk group is well established. Due to its mechanism of action, there were concerns about potential reduction in bone turnover, repair of microdamage and hence reduced bone toughness and increased risk of fractures with long-term use. A number of cases have been reported from other countries describing a pattern of atraumatic mid-femoral fractures in women on long-term alendronate therapy. We present a case of an atraumatic femoral shaft fracture in an elderly woman on long-term alendronate therapy admitted to a UK Hospital.
Ali
Tamir
T
Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
Jay
Roger H
RH
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate