title: Bisphosphonate-associated atypical subtrochanteric femur fracture.
abstract: Bisphosphonates help prevent progressive bone mineralization loss and subsequent osteoporotic fractures. However, long-term bisphosphonate therapy paradoxically increases the risk of a unique injury called an atypical subtrochanteric femur fracture. Despite this, the benefits of bisphosphonates outweigh the risks, because far more pathologic fractures are prevented than induced. The early identification of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures is important as there is high associated morbidity and mortality. We describe a case of a 76-y-old woman with a completed bisphosphonate-associated atypical subtrochanteric femur fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas ely.a.wolin.mil@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Ely A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wolin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Penny J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Vroman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D004164:Diphosphonates
keywords: atypical subtrochanteric femoral fracture; bisphosphonate; osteoporosis