Older women who use bisphosphonate for longer than 5 years may have increased odds of a subtrochanteric or femoral shaft fracture, but absolute risk is low.

Context It is now recognised that fractures of the subtrochanteric femur or femoral shaft (ST/FS fractures) can be divided radiologically into (1) typical fractures and (2) atypical fractures. The latter appear to be rare in patients untreated by bisphosphonates. In this new study, Park-Wyllie et al used Ontario claims data to investigate the association between the amount of bisphosphonates taken and the risk of ST/FS fractures.