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Atypical femoral fractures after anti-osteoporotic medication: a Korean multicenter study

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Abstract

Purpose

Increasing numbers of atypical femoral fractures have been reported among long-term bisphosphonate users. We evaluated clinical characteristics of atypical femoral fractures throughout Korean multicenter studies.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the bone mineral density, prodromal symptoms before femoral fracture, and medication history of osteoporosis in 76 cases of atypical femoral fracture.

Results

The mean age of cases was 71.4 ± 8.8 (range, 43–89) years old. The mean follow-up period after the fracture operation was 24.5 ± 12.9 (range, 12–79) months. BMI was 23.2 ± 3.0 on average. The mean BMD of femur was −1.9 ± 1.4 (range, −4.8 to 1.3). Prodromal symptoms including thigh pain before femoral fracture appeared in 22 (28.9 %) of 76 patients. All patients included in the study used bisphosphonate. The duration of taking bisphosphonate before fracture was 36.8 ± 50.8 (one–204 months) months. Fifty-seven (75 %) of 76 patients were taking the medication for more than three years. Delayed union occurred in 43 (56.5 %) of 76 patients. Delayed union was defined as a fractured bone that did not completely heal within six months of injury. The group of having taken anti-osteoporotic medication for more than three years showed relatively longer union period compared to that for a shorter period medication group (4.8 ± 2.5 months vs 9.3 ± 3.7 months, p = 0.017). The delayed union developed in 43 (56.5 %) of 76 patients and showed a significantly higher incidence in the group with long-term therapy (five/43 vs 38/43, p = 0.021). The bilateral femoral fractures developed in 23 (30.2 %) of 76 patients and showed a high incidence in the group medicated more than three years (two/23 vs 21/23, p = 0.039).

Conclusions

The longer bisphosphonates are used, the more the cases of delayed union and the more frequent the development of bilateral fractures following unilateral fractures. With regard to the delayed union, the methods of the acceleration of fracture healing may be beneficial in atypical femoral fracture patients who had been receiving long-term bisphosphonates therapy. Careful observation is required for contra-lateral femurs due to a high incidence of bilateral atypical femoral fractures.

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Conflict of interest

None to declare.

Ethical review committee statement

This multicenter study was approved by the institutional review board of the authors’ institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Inha University, 7-206, 3-ga, Sinhueng-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, 400-711, Korea

    Joon Soon Kang, Young Tae Kim & Geon Ho Kim

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Ajou University, San-5, Wonchon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 443-721, Korea

    Ye Yeon Won

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Ewha University, 911-1, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, 158-710, Seoul, Korea

    Jong Oh Kim

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dongsan Medical Center, Kyemyung University College of Medicine, 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-712, Korea

    Byeong Woo Min

  5. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Buchoen St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, 327 Sosa-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeongi-do, Korea

    Kee Haeng Lee

  6. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, Korea

    Kwan Kyu Park

  7. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Suwon. St. Vincent’s Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, 327 Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeong-do, Korea

    Joo Hyun Song

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  1. Joon Soon Kang
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  2. Ye Yeon Won
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  3. Jong Oh Kim
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  4. Byeong Woo Min
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  5. Kee Haeng Lee
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  7. Joo Hyun Song
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  8. Young Tae Kim
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  9. Geon Ho Kim
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Joon Soon Kang or Young Tae Kim.

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Kang, J.S., Won, Y.Y., Kim, J.O. et al. Atypical femoral fractures after anti-osteoporotic medication: a Korean multicenter study. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 1247–1253 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2259-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2259-9

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