Evolving Data about Subtrochanteric Fractures and Bisphosphonates

Osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone strength that predisposes to an increased risk of fracture, affects 10 to 12 million people in the United States. In 2000, there were 9 million fractures worldwide, of which 1.6 million were hip fractures. Fractures are important because of their association with an increased rate of death, substantial morbidity, enormous costs, and devastating effects on independence and quality of life.Bisphosphonates, the major class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis,^1,2 decrease osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and bone turnover markers and increase bone mineral density. They have been shown to reduce the risk . . .