Dueling Fosamax Osteoporosis Studies

According to a recent study by the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), long term use of Fosamax and a similar genre of drugs may increase the risk of broken bones.

Avoiding broken bones is the reason post menopausal women and men are taking Fosamax in the first place!

In particular, atypical fractures of the femur—the large bone in the thigh—may occur more in post-menopausal women who take a Fosamax-like drugs for osteoporosis.

Then along comes the New England Journal of Medicine giving less damming news to a panicked public. The NEJM say Fosamax-like drugs may not raise the risk of broken bones near the hip.

So who do you believe?

The NEJM doesn't want to see the public panic and doesn't want to condemn a whole class of drugs. More studies are needed.

Osteoporosis is more common in fair-skinned people who have thin, slender body types and who have family histories of the condition or of relatives who suffered fractures of the spine. Physical activity and good nutrition is recommended at all ages.

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