Unexpected rapid increase in bone mineral density by bisphosphonate therapy after multiple spinal fractures: a case report

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a serious disease that causes bone fragility fractures and increases mortality. Bisphosphonates are the first-line drugs for osteoporosis. However, the gains in bone mineral density by use of bisphosphonates alone are limited. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the clinical outcome of a Japanese woman with osteoporosis treated with bisphosphonates after multiple spinal fractures. After 3 years of treatment with the bisphosphonate alendronate, her lumbar bone mineral density and bilateral hip bone mineral density markedly increased by 61.9% and 32.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We considered that our patient’s multiple fractures had caused a decrease in bone mineral density, which naturally improved with fracture healing to enhance the increase in bone mineral density with bisphosphonate treatment.