Treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures by zoledronic acid injection combined with proximal femoral nail anti-rotation

Abstract Objective To observe the clinical results of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) combined with zoledronic acid injection in the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. Methods 60 elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were diagnosed using a dual energy X-ray bone density instrument. Patients were randomly divided into treatment or control groups (30 cases in each group). Patients in both groups were treated by closed/open reduction and internal fixation using PFNA. In the treatment group, patients received one zoledronic phosphonic acid injection of 5 mg/100 ml via intravenous drip, in addition to 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 μg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The control group received 600 mg of Caltrate D (qd) and 0.25 μg of alpha ossification alcohol (qd). The oral drugs were administered for 12 months. Bone pain relief was observed, and changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar and health-side hip were recorded. Clinical results were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Harris joint function score, and Osteoporosis Quality of Life Scale (OQOLS). Results Compared with the control group, bone pain symptoms were significantly alleviated ( p 1–4 , femoral neck and trochanter ( p p  = 0.04). Cases in the treatment group healed more quickly than those in the control group [(13 ± 3.2) weeks vs (15 ± 4.6) weeks, p  = 0.02]. During the follow-up period, cases in the treatment group had no new fractures, whereas 2 new cases of hip fracture and 2 cases of distal radial fractures were observed among the controls. Conclusion Zoledronic acid injection combined with PFNA is a favorable treatment option for the elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. It can effectively relieve bone pain, increase bone density, improve quality of life, reduce the occurrence of new fractures and promote fracture healing.