Fosamax leads to femur fractures

In October of 2010, the FDA warned the public that Fosamax, and other bisphosphonates, contain a risk of femur fracture after long-term use. These femur fractures are not small. Often the pain is utterly excruciating. The recovery is long and debilitating. They are likely to occur more than once. A doctor of a long-term Fosamax user reported that the likelihood of his patient sustaining a severe femur fracture even during low-energy exercises went from one and 10,000 to one and three.

“I am terrified that my femur can break at any time. I am afraid to babysit my granddaughter; I feel like an invalid. My bones are so screwed up,” says one former user in frustration (Lawyersandsettlements.com).

Many times patients need multiple surgeries and foreign objects such as metal plates and rods inserted into their bones.

Weitz & Luxenberg would like to provide you with helpful information concerning the possible complications associated with Fosamax induced femur fractures.

Complications in your quality of life

When Jasmine suffered a femur fracture because of Fosamax, the ordeal did not end in three months with the removal of a cast like most broken bones. Jasmine is 47 years-old and an avid tennis player. She likes to take walks in the nearby park, and go for jogs in the morning. When her children come to visit, they play board games and watch movies together. After only six years on Fosamax, which her doctor prescribed to her in an effort to prevent osteoporosis, she sustained a femur fracture. This fracture caused such severe pain that she could not sleep or focus. Her doctor gave her pain medicine, but it was not working well enough, so he had to up the dosage to the level where she was basically in a fog all of the time. She could not work or even perform simple tasks. After months of being out of commission, painful surgeries, and physical therapy, her fracture finally healed, but her former life did not. Jasmine’s bones were now brittle and weak. She could sustain a femur fracture at any time without warning – and often she did. Jasmine broke her femur three more times before the age of 55.

Sustaining a femur fracture from Fosamax is a life-long ordeal. Even if you manage to recover from one fracture, your chances of sustaining another one are infinitely greater. This has an enormous impact on the quality of life. Imagine never being able to feel safe going up stairs, jogging, or even going for a walk. You need to always have a plan of action everywhere you go in case you sustain another femur fracture.  

Complications in your career

Many people who have reported femur fractures from taking Fosamax have been forced to prematurely retire. Often times it is because of the constant fear of breaking another femur. Sometimes, it is because of the pain that remains even after numerous treatments. There are many complications that can occur from femur fractures caused by Fosamax that can force you to switch careers or retire early. Complications such as:

• Discomfort from the metal rod placed in the bone
• Surgeries that required a slight shortening of the leg
• Being confined to a wheelchair
• Nerve damage during treatment of the fractured femur

After a long period of recovery from a femur fracture, Margret, a long-term Fosamax user, broke her other femur and realized that her days as the high school soccer coach were over forever. Margret taught soccer up until age 46, when she was forced to retire because her bones had become irreversibly brittle after years of Fosamax use. The fear of breaking another bone while on the job was too great for her to continue teaching.

Health Complications

Fosamax is prescribed to help treat or prevent osteoporosis, but long-term use can leave you with a body similar to one stricken with osteoporosis. Femur fracturing, which is the most prevalent bone fracture, in both conditions kill twelve to 20 percent of people just because of complications (womenshealthmatters.ca).

People who have brittle bones from Fosamax need:

• Frequent doctor visits
• Ongoing medical treatment
• To avoiding strenuous activities of any kind.

This is because the possible complications involved with femur fractures are numerous. Some include:

• Excessive blood loss
• Infections
• Allergic reactions to foreign objects or medications
• Bone failing to set properly
• Further fracturing while in recovery

Weitz & Luxenberg can help

Weitz & Luxenberg can help those who have had femur fractures as a result of taking Fosamax. Our law firm understands the Fosamax problem and is compassionate to your individual case needs. We can help you seek all of the proper compensation for your losses.

To start, simply fill out the form on this page for your free legal consultation. We want to hear your case.

Sources:

Women's Health Matters: http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/osteo/description/fractures.html

Lawyers and Settlements: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/fosamax/interview-fosamax-side-effects-6-14912.html

see also:

Bone Fracture Elderly Fosamax can lead to bone fracture. No one is safe. Not even the elderly.
Bone fractures as a result of taking Fosamax can be life-threatening for the elderly: How Weitz & Luxenberg can help

Fosamax Risky for Middle Aged Women Middle Aged Woman Taking Fosamax Risk Health Complications
Health Complications for Middle Aged Women Taking Fosamax

Fosamax and Esophageal Cancer Fosamax linked to esophageal cancer: how Weitz & Luxenberg can help you
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