Same-side insufficiency fractures of the tibia and femur after denosumab discontinuation: a case report

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common disease in the elderly that causes bone fractures and increases mortality. Denosumab (DMAB) is one of several medications to treat OP. DMAB not only reduces the risk of fractures, but also improves the quality of life. However, an increase in the risk of multiple vertebral fractures has been reported after DMAB discontinuation. We described the rare case of a 71-year-old woman with severe OP who experienced same-side insufficiency fractures of the tibia and femur at 18 months after DMAB discontinuation. Careful monitoring for both vertebral and lower limb fragility fractures is advised after DMAB cessation.

Keywords:

• Osteoporosis
• denosumab
• discontinuation
• lower limb fracture
• insufficiency fracture

Patient consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author contributions

YN and MK directed and designed this study. HK, MK and TN wrote the main text. JT and AT gave suggestions on this study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Data availability statement

The datasets analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.