Joyce Suang Bee Koh

Subtrochanteric insufficiency fractures in patients on alendronate therapy: A CAUTION

We carried out a retrospective review over ten months of patients who had presented with a low-energy subtrochanteric fracture. We identified 13 women of whom nine were on long-term alendronate therapy and four were not. The patients treated with alendronate were younger, with a mean age of 66.9 years (55 to 82) vs 80.3 years (64 to 92) and were more socially active. The fractures sustained by the patients in the alendronate group were mainly at the femoral metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction and many had occurred after minimal trauma. Five of these patients had prodromal pain in the affected hip in the months preceding the fall, and three demonstrated a stress reaction in the cortex in the contralateral femur. Our study suggests that prolonged suppression of bone remodelling with alendronate may be associated with a new form of insufficiency fracture of the femur. We believe that this finding is important and indicates the need for caution in the long-term use of alendronate in the treatment of osteoporosis.

An emerging pattern of subtrochanteric stress fractures: A long-term complication of alendronate therapy?*

BACKGROUND Subtrochanteric insufficiency fractures in post-menopausal patients have not been commonly reported in the literature. A recent increase in the incidence of such fractures occurring in patients while on alendronate therapy led us to conduct a retrospective review of these patients in our institution. METHODS Seventeen patients, with a mean age of 66 years, sustained low energy subtrochanteric fractures within a 20-month period. These patients were incidentally found to be on alendronate therapy for an average of 4.8 years. Clinical data and history were reviewed and roentgenograms were evaluated by a single investigator. All additional imaging and bone mineral density measurements available were analysed. RESULTS A characteristic fracture configuration suggestive of an insufficiency stress fracture was identified on plain radiographs. This consisted of (a) cortical thickening in the lateral side of the subtrochanteric region, (b) a transverse fracture, and (c) a medial cortical spike. In addition, 9 (53%) patients had bilateral findings of stress reactions or fractures, and 13 (76%) had symptoms of prodromal pain. CONCLUSIONS These insufficiency fractures could possibly have developed from the over suppression of bone turnover from prolonged alendronate therapy, in keeping with recently published evidence. This study further highlights the need for heightened awareness of alendronates potential adverse effects.

Femoral cortical stress lesions in long-term bisphosphonate therapy: a herald of impending fracture?

Objective: Lateral cortical stress reactions have been documented to precede femoral insufficiency fractures after long-term bisphosphonate therapy. We studied the natural history of femoral stress lesions associated with long-term bisphosphonate therapy. Design and Setting: A retrospective clinical and radiologic review of all patients with radiologically documented femoral stress lesions associated with bisphosphonate therapy was carried out in a tertiary center involved with geriatric trauma care. Patients: Of 1463 geriatric hip fractures occurring from May 1, 2004, to July 31, 2008, 33 were of a distinct metaphyseal-diaphyseal configuration. Thirty-two were on prior bisphosphonate therapy. Sixteen femurs showed a lateral cortical thickening either on prefracture radiographs (four femurs) or on radiographs of the contralateral femur (12 femurs). Main Outcome Measures: Features that predispose to complete stress fractures were determined. The intact femurs were followed up for symptomatic and radiologic progression and occurrence of new lesions. Results: All four cases that fractured had a “dreaded black line” in the lesion, whereas only 1 of 12 patients had this fracture in femurs which remained intact (100% versus 8.3%, P = 0.003). All patients who fractured reported thigh discomfort over 1 month (range, 0.1-9.0 months; standard deviation, 4.0 months), whereas three of 12 patients who did not fracture reported thigh discomfort (100% versus 25%, P = 0.019). In the remaining patients, eight patients were asymptomatic, two patients had reduced symptoms, and one patient had persistent thigh pain at 23.0 months (range, 5-35 months; standard deviation, 10.2 months). One patient was too demented for symptomatic assessment. No patient developed a new lesion. Radiologic stabilization of the lateral cortical thickening was evident on follow-up radiographs. Conclusion: Cortical stress reactions associated with prolonged antiresorptive therapy, in the presence of pain and the “dreaded black line,” have an increased risk for complete stress fractures.

Fasciotomy and Surgical Tenotomy for Recalcitrant Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy Early Clinical Experience With a Novel Device for Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Microresection

Background: The optimal choice for intervention for recalcitrant lateral elbow tendinopathy remains unclear as various treatment modalities have documented comparable results in the literature. Purpose: To explore the safety, tolerability, and early efficacy of a new minimally invasive mode of treatment that delivers focused, calibrated ultrasonic energy, effectively microresecting the pathological tendon and removing only pathological tissue. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Seven male and 13 female patients aged 33 to 65 years averaging 12.5 months (range, 4-48) of failed nonoperative therapy underwent the ultrasonic microresection procedure in an outpatient clinic setting. The procedure involved a sterile, ultrasound-guided percutaneous microresection with a proprietary device (TX1) performed through a stab incision under local anesthesia. The duration of the procedure and complications of the device or procedure were assessed. Outcome parameters included patient satisfaction; visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and ultrasound assessment at 3 and 6 months. Results: The median duration for the sterile confirmatory ultrasound examination (phase 1) was 88.5 seconds (range, 39-211; SD, ±47.6), the median duration of the procedure proper (phase 2) was 10.1 minutes (range, 4.1-19.4; SD, ±3.7), and the median energy time (duration the TX1 device was activated) was 32.5 seconds (range, 18-58; SD, ±11.0). No complications were encountered. A significant improvement in VAS score (from 5.5 to 3.3; P < .001) occurred by 1 week, and significant improvements in both DASH-Compulsory (from 21.7 to 11.3; P = .001) and DASH-Work (from 25.0 to 6.3; P = .012) scores occurred by 1 month. The VAS scores further improved at 3, 6, and 12 months (from 2.0 to 1.0 to 0.50; P = .003 and .023). The DASH-Compulsory score improved significantly from 3 to 6 months (from 8.6 to 4.6; P = .003), and both the DASH-Compulsory and DASH-Work scores were sustained by 12 months. Sonographically reduced tendon thickness (19 patients), resolved or reduced hypervascularity (17 patients), and reduced hypoechoic area (18 patients) occurred by 6 months. Nineteen of the 20 patients (95%) expressed satisfaction with the procedure, with 9 patients being very satisfied with their overall experience at 6 months after the procedure, 10 patients somewhat satisfied, and 1 patient neutral. Conclusion: Ultrasonic microresection of diseased tissue with the TX1 device provides a focally directed, safe, specific, minimally invasive, and well-tolerated treatment for recalcitrant lateral elbow tendinopathy in an office-based or ambulatory surgical setting with good evidence of some level of efficacy in 19 of 20 patients (95%) that is sustained for at least 1 year.

Post-operative outcomes of atypical femoral subtrochanteric fracture in patients on bisphosphonate therapy

Management of bisphosphonate-associated subtrochanteric fractures remains opinion- or consensus-based. There are limited data regarding the outcomes of this fracture. We retrospectively reviewed 33 consecutive female patients with a mean age of 67.5 years (47 to 91) who were treated surgically between May 2004 and October 2009. The mean follow-up was 21.7 months (0 to 53). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine the post-operative ambulatory status, time to clinical and radiological union and post-fixation complications such as implant failure and need for second surgery. The predominant fixation method was with an extramedullary device in 23 patients. 25 (75%) patients were placed on wheelchair mobilisation or no weight-bearing initially. The mean time to full weight-bearing was 7.1 months (2.2 to 29.7). The mean time for fracture site pain to cease was 6.2 months (1.2 to 17.1). The mean time to radiological union was 10.0 months (2.2 to 27.5). Implant failure was seen in seven patients (23%, 95 confidence interval (CI) 11.8 to 40.9). Revision surgery was required in ten patients (33%, 95 CI 19.2 to 51.2). A large proportion of the patients required revision surgery and suffered implant failure. This fracture is associated with slow healing and prolonged post-operative immobility.

Bisphosphonate-related femoral periosteal stress reactions: scoring system based on radiographic and MRI findings.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to review the radiographic and MRI findings of bisphosphonate-related femoral periosteal stress reactions to propose a scoring system for predicting symptoms and fracture risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study included patients undergoing long-term bisphosphonate therapy who had radiographic evidence of focal femoral periosteal thickening on radiographs and MR images. There were 43 femoral periosteal stress reactions in 33 patients; eight patients underwent MRI. Radiographs and MR images were evaluated for focal cortical thickening (periosteal and endosteal), bone edema, focal cortical abnormalities (radiolucency, striations, cavities), and dreaded black line. The radiographic score (derived with statistical methods) and simple scores (simple radiographic, MRI, and combined scores) were compared with symptoms and fracture outcome. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis showed an association between radiographic dreaded black line and symptoms (odds ratio, 68.0). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses showed radiographic dreaded black line (p < 0.0005; hazard ratio, 27.3) and focal cortical radiolucency (p = 0.011; hazard ratio, 6.8) were independent predictors of fracture. The survival score derived from Cox regression coefficients showed good separation of high- and low-risk groups. Mann-Whitney tests showed an association between MRI and combined scores and symptoms (p = 0.036, p = 0.036). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve suggested better association with symptoms for MRI and combined scores than for simple radiographic scores (1.00, 1.00, 0.93). CONCLUSION In bisphosphonate-related femoral periosteal stress reactions, radiographic dreaded black line and MRI and combined scores were associated with symptoms, and radiographic survival score was predictive of fracture risk. The relation between MRI and combined scores and fracture was not statistically significant.

Atypical Fractures Are Mainly Subtrochanteric in Singapore and Diaphyseal in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study

We have previously noted a dichotomy in the location of atypical fractures along the femoral shaft in Swedish patients, and a mainly subtrochanteric location of atypical fractures in descriptions of patients from Singapore. These unexpected differences were now investigated by testing the following hypotheses in a cross‐sectional study: first, that there is a dichotomy also in Singapore; second, that the relation between subtrochanteric and diaphyseal location is different between the two countries; third, that the location is related to femoral bow. The previously published Swedish sample (n = 151) was re‐measured, and a new Singaporean sample (n = 75) was established. Both samples were based on radiographic classification of all femoral fractures in women above 55 years of age. The distance between the fracture line and the lesser trochanter was measured. Femoral bow was classified as present or absent on frontal radiographs. Frequency distribution of the measured distances was analyzed using the Bayesian information criterion to choose the best description of the observed variable distribution in terms of a compilation of normally distributed subgroups. The analysis showed a clear dichotomy of the fracture location: either subtrochanteric or diaphyseal. Subtrochanteric fractures comprised 48% of all fractures in Singapore, and 17% in Sweden (p = 0.0001). In Singapore, femoral bow was associated with more fractures in the diaphyseal subgroup (p = 0.0001). This was not seen in Sweden. A dichotomous location of atypical fractures was confirmed, because it was found also in Singapore. The fractures showed a different localization pattern in the two countries. This difference may be linked to anatomical variations, but might also be related to cultural differences between the two populations that influence physical activity.

Bilateral ulna fractures associated with bisphosphonate therapy

We report a case of bilateral ulna stress fractures following bilateral femoral fractures associated with long-term bisphosphonate use. The patient is an 84-year-old woman receiving 15 years of bisphosphonate therapy. She did not have any preexisting medical conditions which are known secondary causes of bone loss. She was mostly housebound and used a walking frame for ambulation. She presented with atraumatic right ulna pain and subsequent atraumatic left ulna pain a month later. She was treated conservatively in backslabs and her bisphosphonate was stopped. Investigations did not reveal any secondary causes of osteoporosis or metabolic bone disorders.

Five-year outcome of individuals with hip fracture admitted to a Singapore hospital: quality of life and survival rates after treatment.

Given the shortage of geriatricians, the challenge of treating older adults rests largely with clinicians who may not have specific training in treating older adults. The GCS, facilitated by the EMR, provided access for many hospital services to the resources of a geriatrician for comanagement. The availability of the GCS helps ensure that Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders geriatric quality indicators are addressed when appropriate, which may be in the best interests of all. The ability of hospital services to order a geriatric consultation through the CPOE application allows rapid notification and response to the patients’ needs. The report in the EMR allows expert recommendations to be available in a clear, concise manner. A CPOE application and an EMR seem to enhance the ability to order and provide a geriatric consultation. Future goals are to provide consultations regarding geriatric syndromes and to provide clinical education. Providing nongeriatricians with a clinical learning educational opportunity linked to the CPOE at the time they request a consultation may enhance their clinical reasoning when treating geriatric syndromes. A plausible hypothesis is that clinicians would be interested in and responsive to such training. The possibility of incorporating an educational opportunity with just-in-time clinical learning in connection with the CPOE would present an innovative addition to the geriatrics consultation. This deserves further research and development.

A case of an atypical femoral fracture associated with bacterial biofilm—pathogen or bystander?

We report a case of an 86-year-old woman with an atypical femoral fracture (AFF) who was treated with intramedullary nailing followed by lateral femoral plating. She developed a second femoral shaft fracture distal to the intramedullary nail which required a second operation. Biopsy of the periosteum overlying the site of the initial proximal AFF was sent for pathogen analysis. Using the Ibis T5000 platform and the BAC plate assay, a polymicrobial infection was diagnosed consisting of Bifidobacterium subtile and Pseudomonas mendocina. This raises the possibility that bacterial infections may play some role in atypical fractures of the femur.