Is the time for consolidation of fractures associated with bisphosphonates higher?
Abstract
Introduction: Bisphosphonates evolved as the mainstay for the treatment of osteoporosis, reducing the incidence of fractures. Recently, several publications described the occurrence of low-energy atypical femur fractures associated with the use of bisphosphonates. The objective of this work was to study the average time of consolidation of the atypical femoral fractures caused by the consumption of bisphosphonates compared with a control group.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 34 patients with atypical femoral fractures of which 16 patients had undergone treatment with bisphosphonates for at least 5 years, treated between 2006 and 2017, and stabilized with a cephalomedullary nail, and were compared with a control group of similar characteristics.Results: All the patients were female. The average age was 74 years. 22 presented subtrochanteric fractures while 12 were diaphyseal. 14% of the subjects who took bisphosphonates and received surgical treatment, required a revision versus 5.5% of the control group. The average time of consolidation was higher in those treated with bisphosphonates (8.5 months vs. 6 months), this being statistically significant (p <0.001).Conclusions: The benefit of treatment with bisphosphonates in the prevention of fractures is greater than the risk of atypical fractures. However, it is important to evaluate the risk-benefit in each patient at the beginning and the duration of the treatment, taking into account that despite this, the healing time is longer.Downloads
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