Thigh Fracture

Bisphosphonate, Thigh Fracture Link Not Validated - By: Katie Kelley


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a statement stating they did not find a link between thigh fractures and oral bisphosphonates - a type of osteoporosis medication, despite lawsuits alleging otherwise.

After several reports surfaced showing an increased number of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures in women prescribed oral bisphosphonates, the FDA began investigating the osteoporosis medication. The fractures occurred in the bone just below the hip joint - an unusual place for a break to occur, which prompted the investigation.

Bisphosphonates are a type of osteoporosis drug used to offset bone loss and prevent bone fractures in menopausal women. The following popular medications are oral bisphosphonates:

*Fosamax - Merck and Co Inc.
*Boniva - Roche Holding AG
*Reclast - Novartis AG
*Actonel - Warner Chilcott

The FDA requested information from the oral bisphosphonates manufacturers in June 2008, however, did not find an increased rick for women using the medications. Despite the clear connection between the two, the FDA is currently working with outside sources to further examine the issue.

Bisphosphonates have a controversial history. In 2008, the drugs were investigated after several reports linked them to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, although the FDA has since issued a statement stating no overall heart risks exist.

Additionally, Fosamax, a popular bisphosphonate, has been linked osteonecrosis, or bone death of the jaw - a potentially life-threatening side effect. Osteonecrosis is a slow death of bone tissue in the jaw that occurs because of poor blood supply to the bone. ONJ side effects include loosening of teeth, exposed bone and mouth swelling.

Merck is facing close to 900 Fosamax lawsuits from patients alleging permanent jaw damage. In January 2010, a federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit stating Fosamax was responsible for severe jaw damage in a woman who took the medication for close to eight years.

Merck has maintained that Fosamax has not been associated with increased fracture risks or ONJ. Ron Rogers, Merck's spokesman stated that "In clinical studies, Fosamax has not been associated with increased fracture risk at any skeletal site." Until generic versions became available, Fosamax generated close to $3 billion in sales for the company.

The FDA recommends that patients continue to take the prescribed medication unless directed otherwise by their doctor. Healthcare professionals should be aware of a "possible risk" of atypical subtrochanteric femur fractures in oral bisphosphonates patients, but the FDA has declined further action until more research has been conducted.

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The Three Cases to Bone Loss Treatment - By: Just a Number


Even though males also suffer osteoporosis, 75 percent of the cases take place in women, and most are women over 55 years old. Even though prevention is usually better, there are bone loss treatment choices once osteoporosis has started that have been deployed that can go a long way to reverse the losing trend and make bones stronger. Normally, you should begin with therapy options that carry the lowest amount of risk and side-effects. If minimal curing methods don't seem to be working, gradually move to increasingly powerful cures.

This three treatment tactics are deduced like this:
1) Lifestyle Improvements
2) All Natural Supplements
3) Medication

Lifestyle Improvements: The most modest of the bone reduction treatment choices is lifestyle changes. These comes in the essence of getting more exercise and eating right. The greatest kinds of physical activities to strengthen bones and delay the loss of bone density is strength and resistance exercise such as lifting weights. Walking is okay, although it just has an effect on the lower joints of the body and not the spine, hips and wrists that are also at risk to fractures. A calcium-rich diet of fruits, vegetables and dairy supplementscan aid in minimizing the chance of bone loss. Another good lifestyle modification is eliminating smoking and not drinking too much alcohol. These tricks increase bone lessening because they reduce the intake of calcium into your bones.

All Natural Supplements: If, in meeting with your doctor, you determine that daily modifications are not quite doing enough to minimize the dilemma, another bone reduction therapy alternative ought to be attempted. The next best approach to think about is natural supplements. Calcium pills are a logical place to begin. Females over the age of should be ingesting at least 1,500mg of calcium a day. Vitamin D and magnesium are beneficial too. Herbs, such as maca, which arouses the body's self production of estrogen and, thus, helps with the intake of calcium within the bones, can be beneficial too.

Drugs: But if even organic medicines don't seem to be improving, a medical practitioner will likely suggest prescriptions. Bisphosphonates are the variety of prescribed drugs most frequently used for bone reduction therapy. The medications, of which there are four kinds (Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronate and Zoledronic acid), help to slow down the density loss of bones and roll back the effects of osteoporosis. It's crucial to speak to a doctor about this remedy option.
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