Effective treatment of a steroid-induced femoral neck fracture nonunion with a once-weekly administration of teriparatide in a rheumatoid patient: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Nonunion of femoral neck fractures frequently occurs in elderly patients. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, reoperation rates after internal fixation of a displaced femoral neck fracture increase by up to 60 %. Revision surgery with arthroplasty is often preferred for nonunion of femoral neck fractures because there are few effective options for conservative treatment. Teriparatide (TPTD) is a human parathyroid hormone analog and the only anabolic drug for the treatment of severe osteoporosis. DISCUSSION: There are two types of treatment regimens using TPTD: a once-daily administration of recombinant type TPTD and a once-weekly administration of a chemically synthesized type. Although there have been some reports showing that the once-daily recombinant type TPTD was effective for nonunion treatment, the effect of a once-weekly administration of the chemically synthesized type of TPTD is unknown. This report shows the efficacy of the chemically synthesized TPTD for the treatment of femoral neck fracture nonunion in a patient with risk factors that include rheumatoid arthritis and steroid intake.