title: Atypical femoral shaft fractures secondary to long-term bisphosphonate therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bisphosphonates (BPs) are one of the most commonly used agents in the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2010 and 2015, data of 22 osteoporotic women with femoral fractures due to low-energy trauma who received BPs previously were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of BP therapy was 7.6 years. The mean duration of union was 7.4 months. Five patients had non-union. Stress reaction was observed in the contralateral femur in 11 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic studies should be performed on a regular basis to prevent atypical femoral fractures in patients on long-term BP therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cemil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kayali
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Taskin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Firat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ağrı State Hospital, Ağrı, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sozkesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamak
keywords: Adverse effects; Atypical femoral fracture; Bisphosohonate; Femoral shaft fracture; Stress reaction