Pathophysiology of atypical femoral fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw

In recent years, atypical femoral fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw have emerged as potential complications of long-term bisphosphonate therapy; osteonecrosis of the jaw has also been reported in patients receiving high doses of denosumab. The pathophysiology of both conditions is poorly defined, and the underlying mechanisms are likely to differ. The initiation of atypical fractures in the lateral femoral shaft suggests that reduced tensile strength, possibly secondary to alterations in the material properties of bone resulting from low bone turnover, may be an important pathogenetic factor. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is characterised by infection, inflammation, bone resorption and bone necrosis, but the sequence in which these occur has not been established. However, the observation that bone resorption occurs in close proximity to microbial structures suggests that infection may be the most important trigger, often as a result of dental disease. Other possible pathogenetic factors include suppression of bone turnover, altered immune status and adverse effects of bisphosphonates on the oral mucosa.