Teriparatide in Fracture Non-Unions

BACKGROUND The use of teriparatide in the management of fracture disorders is poorly documented. This study aims to show that teriparatide administration may improve the healing process in patients with nonunions after open fixation of traumatic fractures of the lower limb. METHODS Four patients received Teriparatide for management of non-unions after open fixation of traumatic fractures of the lower limb. RESULTS Teriparatide administration resulted in adequate bone callus over the site of nonunion in all the patients, and clinical and radiographic evidence of sound union. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of teriparatide in delayed or non unions is still unclear. It may induce an angiogenetic response which counteracts the features responsible for development of non-union. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, therapeutic case series.