Fosamax Fracture Lawsuit Blog: Bone fracture

Showing posts with label Bone fracture. Show all posts

Fosamax Problems

Fosamax is one of the most widely used drugs with nearly 37 million prescriptions written. Recently, this drug faced many complaints by long-time users who reported that they suffered from femur fractures. This has also made researches possible to be able to find new ways to treat osteoporosis. Recently, researchers are developing potential stem cell treatment for osteoporosis. While recent additional studies uncover the other effects of this drug, findings came out supporting the claim that Fosamax can help prolong the life span of prosthetics.

In the United Kingdom, doctors have been following up on some 42,000 patients who were prescribed with Fosamax and have been implanted with artificial joints. Hip failures and other problems are less likely to occur in implant recipients who are into Fosamax therapy, says a study published in the British Medical Journal.

Fosamax has been the prescribed treatment for osteoporosis caused by menopause or by steroid intake in both men and women. It is also a treatment for Paget's Disease of the bone, a condition in which the bones are weakened and misshapen. This drug has also been a prescription for the medical condition called osteopenia, which is characterized by poor bone mineral density.

Oftentimes Fosamax therapy has had some issues with drug-to-drug interaction. At present, the possibility of other drugs contributing to the Fosamax femur fractures is under thorough investigation.

Apart from the intended medical impact, Fosamax also brings a number of unintended side effects to the body that can either be beneficial or unfavorable. Nevertheless, off-label use of the drug is strongly discouraged because of the possible harm.

Unintended Effects of Fosamax

If you develop severe allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, and difficulty breathing, you need to get medical attention immediately. Serious side effects might need you to stop your therapy and consult your doctor. These include:

chest pain

difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing (odynophagia)

burning sensation under the ribs or in the back

severe heartburn, burning pain in your upper stomach (epigastric area)

fever, body aches, flu-like symptoms

severe joint, bone, or muscle pain

new or unusual pain in the hip or thigh

jaw pain, numbness or swelling.

Less serious side effects are common in patients taking Fosamax, such as:

mild heartburn

bloating

mild nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

diarrhea, gas or constipation

mild joint pain or swelling

swelling in your hands or feet

dizziness

eye pain

headache

The decision to undergo Fosamax therapy should only be done with your doctor's order and after obtaining complete information, including the duration of therapy, in order to prevent adverse results like femur fractures.

References:

foodandlife.com/foodo.html

ctds.info/osteoporosis-diet.html

medicinenet.com/super_foods_for_your_bones_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

mehlville-oakville.patch.com/articles/pondering-the-potential-of-pumpkins-310bde28

More Evidence Linking Fosamax to Bone Fractures

The New England Journal of Medicine has recently published a study which showed that the safety in the long term use of bisphosphonate drugs, like Fosamax, for osteoporosis treatment may be in question.The study suggested that in two separate case theories there has been a link between prolonged bisphosphonate therapy and atypical fractures.There was one study which showed a number patients sustained low-energy non-vertebral fractures while receiving long-term alendronate therapy; three were fractures of the femoral shaft.

Also the study showed that bone biopsies in the patients showed evidence of severely suppressed bone turnover and fracture healing that was delayed or not there at all.Fosamax is actually suppress bone turnover and thus might be associated with accumulated micro-damage in bone in theory.

In the published study the editor states: “To our knowledge, no study has demonstrated microdamage accumulation in patients treated with bisphosphonates, and data from studies in animals remain difficult to interpret because supranormal doses of bisphosphonates are used. Nevertheless, the possibility that bisphosphonates alter bone strength with prolonged use appears to exist.”

The length of Fosamax use seems to be a factor that the study takes into account.The results of the study concluded that the patients who have been on Fosamax for an average time longer than five years were 37% more likely to suffer from atypical fractures than patients who have been on the drug for less time

Fosamax lawsuit plaintiffs may want to take notice of the results of this this study as it may provide the link between Fosamax and bone fractures they have been looking for.As Merck and the FDA has both gone on record stating that more information is needed to link Fosamax to these types of bone fractures.

However the conclusion of the researchers have also stated that they need more information to definitely link Fosamax to atypical bone fractures.In conclusion the editor of the study states: “In light of the limitations of our study, a prospective study is indicated. Although many possible explanations exist, patients with the unique radiographic pattern shown here may represent a subgroup of the population that is more susceptible to the effects of prolonged suppression of bone turnover. Additional studies are needed to characterize this subgroup and to establish a clear association between atypical fractures of the femur and prolonged bisphosphonate treatment.”

URL References:

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc0707493

health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080319/fosamax-linked-to-unusual-femur-fractures.htm

Osteoporosis Screening Methods Overview

With risk factors that encompasses everyone, nobody is safe from osteoporosis. Right now, more than 10 million Americans – both men and women – have already been afflicted with this major health problem and 34 million more at great risk. So that health plans will be initiated sooner, detecting the disease before it develops further is crucial.

There is much effort people exert in preventing or treating osteoporosis although some may not be very effective. For example, drugs like soy supplements that not diminish symptoms of osteoporosis are being included in their therapy since many believed they are beneficial.

To find out if you are likely to develop osteoporosis, your bone mineral density (BMD) is being computed. Diagnostics for osteoporosis are essential in your therapy and we have listed the most commonly used tools to make you familiar with those tests.

Dexa Scan (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry or DXA)

DXA is the most preferred technique to measure BMD. A DXA machine produces 2 x-ray beams with different energy levels – one beam has higher while the other has lower energy level. The thickness of the bone is determined by the amount of x-rays passing through the bones and from there the BMD can be measured.

Quantitative Computed Tomography

QCT bone densitometry uses high amount of exposure to radiation and costs a lot of money causing it to be unavailable for general clinical use. The method uses a CT scanner to get an accurate status of your bone. This 3-dimensional technique though is 2-3 times more sensitive than DXA making it the most accurate tool to measure bone density.

Ultrasonography

Quite a new diagnostic tool to determine your BMD, the ultrasound does not use radiation. The sonar beam is directed to a certain area where the scattering and the absorption of the waves will allow the assessment of BMD. This fairly new tool is still not as precise as the previous two techniques and perhaps more research are still being conducted about it.

Life with osteoporosis is never a joke. The throes of the disease itself are already an ordeal; and if you are taking bisphosphonates you might also be in agony with its adverse effects. For instance, some long-term Fosamax users claimed they have been harmed by the prolonged use of the drug which triggered them to file a Fosamax lawsuit against the maker of the drug.

References:

http://www.newportbodyscan.com/OsteoporosisFAQ%27s.htm#6

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/dexa-scan

What Is Paget’s Disease And Why Is Fosamax The Treatment?

With the controversies of Fosamax still ringing in the ears of many, more people, even men are filing Fosamax femur fracture lawsuits. This medication is said to cause several adverse effects after a long-term use. The widely known osteoporosis medication is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat this often overlooked bone disorder known as Paget’s disease.

Our bones go through a life-long process where mature bone tissues breakdown and are replaced with new bone tissues. With Paget’s disease of the bone, the breakdown and remodeling of the bone tissues becomes too excessive. The result of the process is misshapen, exaggerated but brittle and highly vascular bones.

Although the cause of Paget’s disease is unknown it is believed that it might be linked to the genetic composition or a viral infection in early life. The disease may only be in one or two areas of the skeleton, or throughout the body. The bones of the arm, the collar, the leg, the pelvis and the spine are the areas usually affected with the disease.

Most of the time, patients with Paget’s disease have mild or no symptoms at all. Often, symptoms are attributed with arthritis or other disorders. Symptoms may include:

Bone pain – the most common symptom and usually occurs on the affected bone or the areas adjacent to the joints
Enlarged head, headache and hearing loss especially if the skull is affected
Bowing of the legs and other visible deformities
Fracture especially on the long bones
Joint pain or stiffness
Neck pain
Warmth of skin over the affected bone

Some cases do not need treatment. Most patients that are treated, however, are given drug therapy to help prevent further bone breakdown. Biphosphonates like Fosamax are presently the first-line of defense to help improve bone mineral density.

When treatment is given before major changes in the affected bones have occurred, the outlook is generally good. Possible complications of the disorder include bone deformities and fractures, deafness, paraplegia (paralysis of the lower extremities), and in rare occasions, a form of bone cancer known as osteogenic osteogenic sarcoma.

Fosamax is the drug of choice for Paget’s disease. Nonetheless, this drug should only be taken with your physician’s order to avoid any adverse events. Furthermore, if you suffered any harm due to long-term consumption of Fosamax, you may have a strong ground for filing a Fosamax lawsuit.

Bad Effect Of Smoking Include Susceptibility To Bone Fracture

Bone fracture occurs when an extreme outside force applied to the bone exceeds the bone's capacity to sustain such a force. There are various factors which has been linked to an increased risk for bone breakage which has been studied and researched for ages. These factors may vary among distinct populations and under certain conditions that is why for more information regarding health issues afflicting you or your loved one, the best source of information is still a licensed and efficient physician. Nevertheless, one of the factors that increases the risk for bone fracture that has been an unhealthy fad popularized by the media and peer pressure is: cigarette smoking.

The youth are easily influenced by what the adults do, that is why it is important to start engraving into their minds that the bad habit of smoking cigarettes practiced by the older people should not be followed. Fracture is a common incident among old people because their bones are not as strong as they used to. The non-modifiable factors of bone breakage are: family history, genetics, culture, bone degenerating disease process such as osteoporosis, age, and sex. Changes in lifestyle, smoking habits, alcohol intake, stress, bisphosphonate and glucocorticoid drug intake, diet, weight are some of the noted dependent factors for fracture susceptibility.

It has been a long time since precautions regarding smoking's bad effects to the body was first released to the public. Bone's calcium absorption is impaired by cigarette smoking. Calcium is a vital mineral stored and utilized by the bone. As expected, if the bone cannot absorb enough calcium, its bone mineral density is diminished. This is the reason why smoking is bad because it impairs our bones strength.

Easily fractured bones are also seen in most of the osteoporosis patients. There is a bisphosphonate drug usually prescribed by doctors which is Fosamax. Still, reports were received professing about the drugs bad effects to those who were using the drug for a long time. If you or your loved one suffered from atypical, low-impact femur fracture, you can talk to a reliable Fosamax lawyer who will guide you in filing a Fosamax Fracture Lawsuit for you and your family to gain just compensation.