OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of alendronate, in the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. METHODS: Sixty patients with AVN of the hip (100 hips with AVN) were studied. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 5 yr. The most common cause of AVN was steroids. Parameters studied were walking time, standing time, pain and disability on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of the hip, X-ray and MRI of the hip. All patients were treated with alendronate 10 mg/day (or 70 mg/week) along with 500-1000 mg of daily calcium and vitamin D supplements, and were advised to avoid weight-bearing. NSAIDs and analgesics were permitted as needed and were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (71 AVN hips) with AVN have been followed up for a minimum of 1 yr, 24 patients (42 AVN hips) for 2 yr and 21 patients (37 AVN hips) for more than 2 yr (average 37 month). Fourteen patients have been followed up for less than 1 yr (3-9 months). Significant reduction in pain and disability scores (P < 0.001) and significant increase in standing and walking time (P < 0.001) were observed. All hip movements improved at 1 yr (P value 0.000-0.009) with an insignificant decline after that (P > 0.001). Radiologically, the hips either stabilized in the same grade or progressed by one grade. MRI showed a decrease in marrow oedema in most cases at the 1-yr follow-up. Six patients (10 hips) required surgery and there were two (three hips) dropouts. The drug was well tolerated and there was a reduction in NSAID requirement. CONCLUSION: Alendronate reduces pain, improves function and retards AVN progression. Early surgical intervention can be avoided in most patients.
OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of alendronate, in the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip. METHODS: Sixty patients with AVN of the hip (100 hips with AVN) were studied. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 5 yr. The most common cause of AVN was steroids. Parameters studied were walking time, standing time, pain and disability on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion of the hip, X-ray and MRI of the hip. All patients were treated with alendronate 10 mg/day (or 70 mg/week) along with 500-1000 mg of daily calcium and vitamin D supplements, and were advised to avoid weight-bearing. NSAIDs and analgesics were permitted as needed and were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (71 AVN hips) with AVN have been followed up for a minimum of 1 yr, 24 patients (42 AVN hips) for 2 yr and 21 patients (37 AVN hips) for more than 2 yr (average 37 month). Fourteen patients have been followed up for less than 1 yr (3-9 months). Significant reduction in pain and disability scores (P < 0.001) and significant increase in standing and walking time (P < 0.001) were observed. All hip movements improved at 1 yr (P value 0.000-0.009) with an insignificant decline after that (P > 0.001). Radiologically, the hips either stabilized in the same grade or progressed by one grade. MRI showed a decrease in marrow oedema in most cases at the 1-yr follow-up. Six patients (10 hips) required surgery and there were two (three hips) dropouts. The drug was well tolerated and there was a reduction in NSAID requirement. CONCLUSION:Alendronate reduces pain, improves function and retards AVN progression. Early surgical intervention can be avoided in most patients.
Authors: Stephanie W Mayer; Braden K Mayer; J Mack Aldridge; James R Urbaniak; Robert D Fitch; Robert K Lark Journal: J Child Orthop Date: 2012-12-25 Impact factor: 1.548
Authors: Pei-Hsun Sung; Hsin-Ju Chiang; Yao-Hsu Yang; John Y Chiang; Chi-Jen Chen; Hon-Kan Yip; Mel S Lee Journal: Int Orthop Date: 2018-03-14 Impact factor: 3.075
Authors: Eli Peled; Jacob Bejar; Chaim Zinman; Daniel N Reis; Jochanan H Boss; Hadar Ben-Noon; Doron Norman Journal: Indian J Orthop Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 1.251