title: Atypical fractures of the femur related to prolonged treatment with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bisphosphonates reduce the overall risk of fractures among patients with osteoporosis, and this beneficial effect is long-lasting. However, since bisphosphonates inhibit bone remodeling, they may enhance the formation and propagation of micro-cracks over time and patients may therefore be prone to atypical fatigue fractures, mainly in the subtrochanteric region and femoral shaft.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present two cases of subtrochanteric fractures related to bisphosphonate treatment, and review the current literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the overall beneficial effect of bisphosphonates, further research is required to prevent this significant complication.
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arami
authors.forename: Yona
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kosashvili
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sidon
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velkes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011859:Radiography; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates