Abstract
Objective
This study was designed to test whether established post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) bone loss at over 2 years post-surgery could be improved by 6 months of alendronate administration.
Materials and methods
This was a double blind randomized controlled trial. From a previous study assessing periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) at 2 years post-surgery, 11 patients were randomised to receive either 70 mg of alendronate per week or a placebo, for 6 months. DXA scans were performed on both knees (operated knee and contralateral knee) at 6 months and compared with pre-treatment DXA scans.
Results
No significant change in BMD following a 6-month administration of alendronate, given 2 years post-TKA was seen. Additionally, alendronate had no effect on Oxford Knee Scores.
Conclusions
The administration of a 6-month course of alendronate has no significant effect on established periprosthetic BMD loss.
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Conflict of interest statement
No funds were received in support of this study. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.
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Abu-Rajab, R.B., Watson, W.S., Gallacher, P. et al. The effect of 6 months oral alendronate treatment on periprosthetic bone loss after total knee arthroplasty. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 19, 231–235 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-008-0412-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-008-0412-8