Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Treatment Protocol for Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Using a Single-Crystal Piezoelectric Focused Shock Wave Source
Published on: December 23, 2022
Treatment of stress fractures in athletes with intravenous pamidronate
Gregory W Stewart1, Michael E Brunet, Melvin R Manning
1Department of Orthopaedics, SL-32, Tulane Institute of Sports Medicine, Tulane University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. gstewart@tulane.edu
Objective:
To determine if the use of a second-generation biphosphonate, pamidronate, is an effective treatment option for stress fractures in intercollegiate athletes. Pamidronate is successfully used to increase bone mass in patients with Charcot arthropathy and osteoporosis.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
Academic sports medicine clinic with primary responsibility for intercollegiate athletics.
Participants:
Five intercollegiate female athletes.
Interventions:
Intravenous pamidronate administered weekly for a total of 5 treatments.
Main Outcome Measurement:
Athletes' ability to continue training without restrictions.
Results:
Four of 5 treated athletes were able to continue training and competition within 1 week of treatment.
Conclusions:
Pamidronate may be a useful adjunct to the treatment of stress fractures.
Related Concept Videos
Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care