Teriparatide Treatment in Elderly Patients With Sacral Insufficiency Fracture

Pain-related immobility because of insufficiency fractures may result in serious complications and a high mortality rate in senile patients with preexisting comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of teriparatide in patients with sacral insufficiency fractures.

This retrospective, case-controlled, single center study, performed from 2009 to 2014, included 41 patients who underwent radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or bone scans to document sacral insufficiency fractures.

The intervention involved teriparatide at a once-daily subcutaneous dose of 20 μg within 2 days of hospital admission (21 patients). Twenty patients (control group) did not receive teriparatide.

Functional outcome was assessed using a visual analog scale for pain and the time to mobilization. Pelvic anteroposterior radiographs were repeated at 0, 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks until radiographic evidence of cortical bridging at the fracture site was confirmed.

From the date of admission to 4 weeks, the mean visual analog scale score improved between the 2 groups. The mean time to mobilization was 1.2 ± 0.4 weeks in patients who received teriparatide treatment, compared with 2.0 ± 0.3 weeks in controls (P < 0.001). At 8 weeks, all fractures in the teriparatide treatment group and 4 fractures in the control group had healed.

In senile patients with preexisting comorbidities who have sacral insufficiency fractures, teriparatide treatment may achieve earlier pain reduction and mobilization and reduce healing time.