Do atypical femoral fractures in patients with prolonged alendronate treatment heal?

Abstract

Osteoporosis, which is a major health problem, may have an adverse impact on the economic status of the society and the quality of the life of the patients. Long-term alendronate use may cause an increased susceptibility to fractures with an increased risk of delayed union. In this article, we describe two patients on long-term alendronate therapy which were treated for atypical femoral fractures healed with surgical treatment plus calcium, vitamin D support, and alendronate discontinuation.