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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