Consumerinjurylawyers : Fosamax Femur Fractures

By Author: Susan Ardizzoni
Total Articles: 62
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Studies Link Fosamax to Femur Fractures:

Fosamax (bisphosphonate) is used to treat post-menopausal women who are at risk of osteoporosis. Clinical trials performed by Merck (the manufacturer of Fosamax) have reported the following in patients taking Fosamax: bone turnover rates came back to normal, bone mineral density increased, and spine, wrist and hip fractures decreased. Nevertheless, reported cases of Fosamax femur fractures are increasing as time goes on post-marketing. Merck has been plagued with Fosamax side effects since it went on the market.

Studies done by the Hospital for Special Surgery and Columbia University Medical Center have demonstrated that Fosamax changes bone remodeling in an unknown manner and may contribute to femur fractures. They reported these fractures to be spontaneous and without any trauma present at the time of the break. Physicians in hospitals and private practice published more reports in the New England Journal as well as individual reports. All have reported unusual transverse femur fractures with a break projection of cortical bone with irregular bone thickening along ...
... the femoral shaft as seen through X-ray film. This type of break is rare but would normally be seen in a car accident victim or someone who had fallen down a flight of stairs where you would have some great horizontal force pushing on the femur. Keep in mind that the strongest bone in the body is the femur and requires great force to break.

Merck's patent for Fosamax ran out in 2008 and at that time, the FDA approved generic versions that include Boniva, Actonel, and Reclast. All of these generics have demonstrated Fosamax femur fractures so caution should be used when switching over.

Clearly there is a difference between bone quantity and bone quality with long term use of Fosamax. It has been reported that patients who had been treated with bisphosphonates showed a reduction in tissue heterogeneity, specifically with mineral content (higher calcium concentration) and crystal size as compared to control groups. This indicates that Fosamax is generating a more brittle bone that is easier to break. This generates a difference in bone quality and this may contribute to these unusual Fosamax femur fractures.

As a result of Fosamax side effects involving femur fractures, Merck is faced with numerous Fosamax lawsuits. If you have experienced Fosamax femur fractures or any other bone related illness while on Fosamax, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You may want to contact a Fosamax attorney to see if you qualify for a Fosamax Lawsuit.

Author Bio.

Susan Ardizzoni, Ph.D. holds a Doctorate in Biology with a major in Neuroscience (medical) and minors in Biochemistry, Physics, and Mathematics with experience in basic and clinical research. Although the author is not an attorney, this article was sponsored by the law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP and constitutes Attorney Advertising. To learn more about Fosamax femur fractures or Fosamax lawsuit please visit www.ConsumerInjuryLawyers.com