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Updated: May 12, 2025

Method and Instrumented Fixture for Femoral Fracture Testing in a Sideways Fall-on-the-Hip Position
Published on: August 17, 2017
[Bilateral femoral fractures due to bisphosphonate use]
Joey F H Reijmer1, Thomas J A van Schaik1,2, Mechteld A R Vermeulen3
1Canisius Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis, Nijmegen. Afd. Chirurgie.
Abstract:
The risk of an atypical femoral fracture increases with the use of bisphosphonates for longer than 5 years. The typical presentation of an atypical femoral fracture consists of a transverse subtrochanteric femoral fracture originating from the lateral cortex with a medial spike, occurring after minimal or no trauma. For patients presenting with a spontaneous femoral fracture who are using bisphosphonates, it is recommended to discontinue bisphosphonate use and to determine the future fracture risk. Imaging of the contralateral femur should always be performed in patients with an AFF. If radiological abnormalities are present, preventive surgical fixation of the contralateral side should be considered. During the first two years following an atypical femoral fracture, regular monitoring with radiographs of both femurs is advised to assess healing and detect potential new fractures.
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