Evaluating the role of low dose teriparatide in fracture union: A prospective study of twenty five case

Introduction: In current Orthopaedics practice fracture non-union and delayed union remain devastating complications resulting from impaired bone healing. This often lead to repeat surgical intervention. Revision surgeries carry great risk of infections and damage to nearby neurovascular structures. These repeat surgeries are not just technically challenging but result in increased hospitalisation and financial burden. The need is to treat these complication in a less invasive manner that avoids repeat surgeries. Teriparatide is one such novel therapy for treating fracture non-union and delayed union. Methods: Parathyroid hormone is a naturally occurring hormone and Teriparatide is a novel recombinant form of the biologically active component parathormone. It leads to increase bone mass and prophylactic prevention of fractures in osteoporotic bone. Twenty five patients of peritrochanteric and femur fracture were given low dose pulse therapy with teriparatide. The follow up was done using radiographic evidence of fracture union and functional outcome. Results: Radiographic fracture union time of patients receiving teriparatide was 8.44±3.34 weeks. Conclusion: Low dose pulse therapy with 20 mcg teriparatide aids and accelerate organisation and maturation callus and enhance union of fracture in cases of non-union and delayed union. The medication with teriparatide is strongly recommended in cases of fracture non-union and delayed.