Atypical Femur Fractures-An Analysis of 69 Patients from 15 Years.

Background/

Objectives

Bisphosphonates are effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures. However, the risk of atypical femur fractures (AFFs) increases with long-term bisphosphonate use. There are few existing publications on the analysis of clinical outcomes of atypical femur fracture cases in Chinese patients. Our objective was to review the clinical outcomes of AFF cases managed in a tertiary center in Hong Kong, China.

Methods

Cases of AFF managed in the Prince of Wales Hospital from 2010 to 2024 were included. Data on demographics, type and duration of bisphosphonate use prior to AFF, fixation method, and mobility 1 year post-operation were retrospectively retrieved. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the duration of use prior to the development of AFF between different types of bisphosphonates.

Results

Sixty-nine cases of AFF were included, with a mean age of 73.8 ± 9.7 years. A total of 95.6% of patients had a history of bisphosphonate use, with a mean duration of usage of 6.8 ± 5.6 years prior to the occurrence of AFF. The duration of bisphosphonate use prior to the development of AFF was comparable between alendronate, ibandronate, and a history of using more than one type of anti-resorptive agent. A non-union rate of 5.8% was observed in the current cohort, with 48.2% returning to pre-morbid mobility 1 year post-operation.

Conclusions

AFF is more commonly seen in female patients with a history of bisphosphonate use. Considering the high success rate demonstrated in the current cohort, treating AFF with closed reduction followed by fixation with a long cephalomedullary device in dynamic locking together with immediate full-weight-bearing rehabilitation post-operation may be effective.