[Atypical femoral fractures in bisphosphonate therapy]

Bisphosphonates (BP) play an important role in the therapy of osteoporosis as they effectively reduce the risk of fractures. Atypical femoral fractures (AFF) have recently been described as an adverse effect of BP treatment. We present 3 women under therapy with BP, who had five AFF, among these three complete and two incomplete fractures. The incidence of AFF under therapy with BP is low, and the benefit regarding reduction of spinal fractures and fractures of the proximal femur is much higher than the risk for an AFF.