Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) have been well defined clinically and epidemiologically. Less clear are the
underlying mechanisms responsible. This commentary points out the likely sources of decreased resistance
to fracture using lessons from bone material studies and biomechanics. We hypothesize that the key element
in the cascade of events leading to failure of the largest and strongest bone in the human body is long-term
suppression of normal bone turnover caused by exposure to potent anti-remodeling agents, most notably the
bisphosphonates (BPs). Suppressed bone turnover produces changes in bone that alter its material quality
and these changes could lead to adverse effects on its mechanical function. At the submicroscopic [b1 μm]
level of collagen fibrils, suppression of bone turnover allows continued addition of non-enzymatic cross
links that can reduce collagen's plasticity and this in turn contributes to reduced bone toughness. Further,
adverse changes in hydroxyapatite crystalline structure and composition can occur, perhaps increasing
collagen's brittleness. At the microscopic level [~1–500 μm] of the bone-matrix structure, suppressed bone
turnover allows full mineralization of cortical bone osteons and results in a microstructure of bone that is
more homogeneous. Both brittleness and loss of heterogeneity allow greater progression of microscopic
cracks that can occur with usual physical activity; in crack mechanical terms, normal mechanisms that dissipate
crack tip growth energy are greatly reduced and crack progression is less impeded. Further, the targeted
repair of cracks by newly activated BMUs appears to be preferentially suppressed by BPs. We further hypothesize
that it is not necessary to have accumulation of many cracks to produce an AFF, just one that progresses —
one that is not stopped by bone's several protective mechanisms and is allowed to penetrate through a homogeneous
environment. The remarkable straight transverse fracture line is an indicator of the slow progression
of a “mother crack” and the failure of usual mechanisms to bridge or deflect the crack. Research in AFF mechanisms
has been focused at the organ level, describing the clinical presentation and radiologic appearance.
Although today we have not yet connected all the dots in the pathophysiology of BP-induced AFF, recent advances
in measuring bone mechanical qualities at the submicroscopic and tissue levels allow us to explain how
spontaneous catastrophic failure of the femur can occur.
© 2013 Elsevier