Spontaneous Subtrochanteric Femoral Stress Fracture Related to Alendronate : A Case Report

• Main Authors: Paul CC Chew, B Julaihi, ZA Ibrahim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Orthopaedic Association 2013-03-01
• Series: Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
• Subjects: atypical femoral fractures; alendronate; osteoporosis
• Online Access: http://www.morthoj.org/2013/v7n1/femoral-stress-fracture.pdf

Spontaneous atypical fractures of the femur have been reported in patients on long-term antiresorptive bisphosphonate therapy. Here, we report a case of subtrochanteric stress fracture in a seventy-year-old female patient on long-term alendronate therapy, and accompanying management challenges. Potential measures to prevent this complication of antiresorptive treatment for osteoporosis include the following: setting strict criteria for prescribing antiresorptive therapy, limiting the duration of continuous antiresorptive therapy, and increasing the use of bone anabolic agents.