Surgical Complications Associated With Atypical Femur Fractures Attributed to Bisphosphonate Use

J Surg Orthop Adv. 2018 Spring;27(1):14-20.

Abstract

Complications of atypical femur fractures (AFFs) are common. AFFs often receive the same treatment as other femoral fractures; however, there appears to be a higher rate of adverse outcomes. Nine patients sustained a total of 13 AFFs, had documented bisphosphonate use before fracture, and had surgery between 2006 and 2012. Complications included continued pain, surgical revision, nonunion, malunion, deformity, or heterotopic ossification. The overall complication rate was 33.3%, with four of the 12 surgeries performed at this institution resulting in one nonunion and three minor complications. None of the primary fixations required revision. There was a higher complication rate for AFFs when compared with non-bisphosphonate-related intramedullary nail femur fracture fixations. This cohort demonstrated a lower rate of major complications compared to the literature. Using a reamed, statically locked nail, halting bisphosphonate medication, and allowing early weight bearing is a safe and efficacious method to treat atypical femur fractures. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(1):14-20, 2018).

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone Nails
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / chemically induced
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery*
  • Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
  • Fractures, Malunited / epidemiology
  • Fractures, Spontaneous / chemically induced
  • Fractures, Spontaneous / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Spontaneous / surgery*
  • Fractures, Ununited / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates