RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Signs of Insufficiency Fractures Overlooked in a Patient Receiving Chronic Bisphosphonate Therapy
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 404
OP 407
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2016.03.150242
VO 29
IS 3
A1 Shaikh, Wassi
A1 Morris, Dan
A1 Morris, Sean
YR 2016
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/29/3/404.abstract
AB Chronic bisphosphonate therapy is associated with atypical fractures of the subtrochanteric and proximal femoral diaphyseal regions. Various radiologic imaging signs can identify bisphosphonate-associated stress fractures before they progress to complete fractures. Identifying patients who are at risk and modifying treatment can prevent these fractures from occurring. We present a case study of a patient taking bisphosphonate with 2 years of chronic pain, and characteristic clinical signs of bisphosphonate-associated incomplete stress fractures that went untreated until the patient suffered from a right subtrochanteric complete fracture. Our goal is to make physicians aware of the signs of insufficiency fractures associated with chronic bisphosphonate therapy such that appropriate clinical decisions are made to optimize the quality of patient care.