Journal Facts

Journal
BoneKEy Knowledge Environment
ISSN
1940-8692
Volume
6
Year
2009

Article Facts

Title
Bisphosphonates and fatigue fractures
DOI
10.1138/20090415
Authors

Per Aspenberg

Online Date
12/00/2009

Article Links

IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Bisphosphonates and fatigue fractures

Per Aspenberg


DOI:10.1138/20090415

Abstract

There are now several case series of fatigue fractures of the femur in patients on long-term bisphosphonate treatment. The association with bisphosphonates has been clearly demonstrated, and a population-based study has recently shown an incidence around 1 fracture per year, per 1000 patients treated for at least 2 years. When combining the published reports, almost half of the patients have bilateral fractures, and a quarter of them are taking corticosteroids. Still, bisphosphonates reduce fracture risk: for each stress fracture associated with this treatment, it is estimated that 15 osteoporotic fractures are avoided.

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