Clinical presentation of atypical femur fractures

Abstract

Atypical femur fractures (AFFs) appear to be a separate entity from osteoporotic hip fractures and have several characteristics in their clinical presentation that distinguish them as such. Atypical fractures are characterized by the presence of minimal to no trauma, such as walking or stepping off a curb. They also frequently present with prodromal pain in the affected thigh or groin prior to fracture. Contralateral symptoms may be present in as many as one in five patients, and bilateral (both sequential and simultaneous) fractures are common. Lastly, they may be associated with comorbidities such as rheumatoid arthritis and/or the administration of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, estrogen, and most notably, bisphosphonates.