2018 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 33-37
Objective: The healing time of atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) is longer compared to normal femoral fractures. There is a high incidence of delayed union and subsequent revision surgery. Intramedullary nailing and teriparatide are recommended for both complete and incomplete AFFs. Few reports have examined the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasounds (LIPUS) for atypical femoral fractures.
Methods: We retrospectively surveyed all patients with subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between 2010 and 2016, inclusive.
Results: A total of six patients with six femoral fractures were diagnosed with AFFs. The mean age at injury was 62.2 years (range: 53 to 81 years). Five fractures occurred in women; four were in patients whose previous treatment had included bisphosphonates and corticosteroids. One fracture occurred in a patient treated with denosumab. All patients had symptoms of hip or thigh pain during the prodromal period. All fractures were fixed with intramedullary nails. Five fracture were treated with LIPUS after surgery. All fractures had healed within six months.
Conclusion: LIPUS might be helpful for the healing of AFFs.
