October 5, 2011 Grand Rounds Video: Stress Fractures following Osteoporosis Management
Jennifer Hagen, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery Resident
James C. Krieg, MD
Susan M. Ott, MD, Professor
There is some evidence that atypical femur fractures could be linked to prolonged use of oral bisphosphonate therapy drugs, which are prescribed to inhibit the loss of bone mass in patients with osteoporosis. While these drugs have done a great deal of good for many, there could be some unintended consequences of their use. This episode of Grand Rounds looks at all causes of these fractures and their potential link to bisphosphonate usage.
UW Medicine physician, Jennifer Hagen, with the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, opens with a history of the development of bisphosphonates and their efficacy, the initial studies that discussed atypical femur fractures, and two case examples of these fractures. UW Medicine physician, Susan Ott, then presents the clinical characteristics of patients with atypical femur fractures along with a review of epidemiology and medical therapy. Finally, James C. Krieg, UW associate professor of Traumatology, presents issues regarding surgical management of atypical femur fractures.