Bisphosphonate use is associated with atypical periprosthetic femoral fractures in hip and knee arthroplasty patients, according to a study in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Here are five things to know:
1. Study authors performed a retrospective radiological review of all femoral fractures in Quebec City, Canada, between Jan. 1, 2006, and March 31, 2015, using the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research Task Force's criteria to identify atypical fractures.
2. Among patients who sustained periprosthetic femoral fractures, 8.3 percent had APFFs.
3. Study authors observed a strong association between bisphosphonate use and elevated risk of APFFs among alendronate users compared to risedronate users.
4. Risk factors for APFFs included transverse fractures, periosteal thickening of the lateral cortex at the fracture, unicortical fracture and prodromal symptoms.
5. The type of implant, its positioning and the femoral geometry were not risk factors for APFFs as compared to PFFs.