What Researchers Did
Researchers reported a case of a 63-year-old woman who developed a pathologic mandibular fracture and an atypical femoral fracture after two years of oral bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis.
What They Found
The patient, treated with 70 mg of alendronate weekly, developed medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) stage 3 leading to a pathologic mandibular fracture (PMF) and an atypical femoral fracture (AFF) with osteomyelitis. The PMF was successfully treated with internal fixation, debridement, and sequestrectomy, with complete healing observed at the 3-year follow-up after discontinuing alendronate and undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis should be aware of the rare but serious risks of atypical femoral fractures and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Healthcare providers should monitor patients for these adverse effects, especially with long-term use, and consider treatment adjustments if symptoms arise.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to the broader patient population receiving bisphosphonate treatment.