Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Strontium ranelate as an adjuvant for fracture healing: clinical, radiological, and ultrasound findings in a randomized controlled study on wrist fractures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Osteoporosis International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Summary

This randomized and controlled study evaluated the effect of therapy with strontium ranelate on callus formation in wrist fractures and its incidence in wrist recovery. Radiographic healing, progression of clinical recovery, and callus quality with ultrasound were evaluated. No statistically significant benefit of therapy was found.

Introduction

Fracture prevention is the main goal of any therapy for osteoporosis. Various drugs used in osteoporosis treatment have the theoretical premises to promote fracture healing and osseointegration. In this study, the effect of strontium ranelate on callus formation in wrist fractures was evaluated and whether it could lead to clinically relevant modification of wrist recovery; having strontium ranelate osteoinductive properties, it could be used, if effective, as an adjunct in fracture healing for a faster and functionally better recovery and, at the same time, in starting proper therapy in osteoporotic patients with fragility fractures.

Methods

We considered only patients older than 60 years who had suffered wrist fracture and received nonoperative treatment with manual reduction of the fracture and cast for 35 days. Forty patients were included and randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A [patients treated with calcium (1200 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day)] and group B [patients treated with calcium (1200 mg/day) and vitamin D (800 IU/day) associated with strontium ranelate 2 g daily]. Radiographic healing was evaluated through the bone callus formation, cortical continuity, and density of the callus. A clinical evaluation using Castaing’s criteria was carried out 2 and 3 months following the fracture together with an ultrasound study of callus density and vessels.

Results

A parametric analysis of the X-ray data, clinical evaluation, and ultrasonography results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the two groups (p > 0.05 for all data).

Conclusion

In analyzing the data obtained, we concluded that strontium ranelate administered in acute phase did not improve nor accelerate wrist fracture healing in our population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nardone V, D’Asta F, Brandi ML (2014) Pharmacological management of osteogenesis. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 69:438–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Zacchetti G, Dayer R, Rizzoli R, Ammann P (2014) Systemic treatment with strontium ranelate accelerates the filling of a bone defect and improves the material level properties of the healing bone. BioMed Research International. vol. 2014, Article ID 549785, 10 pages. doi: 10.1155/2014/549785

  3. Marie PJ (2005) Strontium ranelate: a novel mode of action optimizing bone formation and resorption. Osteoporos Int 16:S7–S10

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Vengerovskiĭ AI, Khlusov IA, Nechaev KA (2014) Molecular mechanisms of action of bisphosphonates and strontium ranelate. Eksp Klin Farmakol 77(9):43–6

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Atkins GJ, Welldon KJ, Halbout P, Findlay DM (2009) Strontium ranelate treatment of human primary osteoblasts promotes an osteocyte-like phenotype while eliciting an osteoprotegerin response. Osteoporos Int 20:653–664

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Rusch DS, Weiland AJ, Wolfe SW et al (2006) Current concepts in the treatment of distal radial fractures. In: Trauma Instructional Course Lectures AAOS., pp 43–55

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gosta F (1967) Fracture of the distal radius including sequelae—shoulder-hand-finger syndrome, disturbance in the distal radio-ulnar joint impairment of nerve function. A clinical and experimental study. Acta Orthop Scand

  8. Friberg S, Lundstrom B (1976) Radiographic measurements of the radiocarpal joint in normal adults. Acta Radial Diagn 17:249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Castanig J (1964) Le Clubs Des Dix: Les Fractures récentes de l’extrémité enférieure du radius chez l’adulté. Rev Chir Orthop 50:581–596

    Google Scholar 

  10. Busillachi P, Rapaccini GL, et al: Ecografia Clinica. 2006, Idelson Ed. Cap 27, pp. 478-479, Vol. 1

  11. Calliada F, Bottinelli O, Sala G (1993) Color Doppler differential diagnosis between normally and delayed healing bone fractures. Radiology; 189P (Suppl.1 al N.11), 209

  12. Aspenberg P, Johansson T (2010) Teriparatide improves early callus formation in distal radial fractures, analysis of a subgroup of patients within a randomized trial. Acta Orthop 81(2):234–236

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Einhorn TA, Kakar S, Little D (2009) Can we improve fixation and outcomes in the treatment of femoral neck fractures? The use of Pharmaceuticals. J Orth Trauma 23:413–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nota 79, Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco. GU 15 giugno 2011, n. 137 (http://www.agenziafarmaco.gov.it/it/content/nota-79).

  15. Fitzpatrick LA et al (2011) Ronacaleret, a calcium-sensing receptor antagonist, has no significant effect on radial fracture healing time: results of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial. Bone. doi:10.1016/j.bone.2011.06.017

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Riggs BL, Parfitt AM (2005) Drugs used to treat osteoporosis: the critical need for a uniform nomenclature based on their action in bone remodeling. J Bone Miner Res 20:177–184

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Black DM, Bilezikian JP, Ensrud KE et al (2005) One year of alendronate after one year of parathyroid hormone (1-84) for osteoporosis. N Engl J Med 353:555–565

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Goodship AE, Walker PC, McNally D, et al (1994) Use of biphosphonate (pamidronate) to modulate fracture repair in ovine bone. Ann Oncol. (5 suppl 7):553-555

  19. Li C, Mori S, Li J et al (2001) Long-term effect of incadronate disodium (YM-175) on fracture healing of femoral shaft in growing rats. J Bone Miner Res 16:429–436

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Li FY, et al (2007) Systemic treatment with strontium ranelate promotes tibial fractures healing in ovariectomized rats. Bone

  21. Adami S et al (2004) Strontium ranelate reduces the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in Caucasian women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis International 15(Supplement 1):S93–S94

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rizzoli R et al (2004) Patients at high risk of hip fracture benefit from treatment with strontium ranelate. Osteoporos Int 15(Supplement 1):S18

    Google Scholar 

  23. Cesareo R, Napolitano C, Iozzino M (2010) Strontium ranelate in postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment: a critical appraisal. Int J Womens Health 2:1–6

    PubMed  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhu LL, Zaidi S, Peng Y, Zhou H et al (2007) Induction of a program gene expression during osteoblast differentiation with strontium ranelate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 355:307–311

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bonnelye E, Chabadel A, Saltel F, Jurdic P (2008) Dual effect of strontium ranelate: stimulation of osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation and resorption in vitro. Bone 42:129–138

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tarantino U, Celi M, Saturnino L et al (2010) Strontium ranelate and bone healing: report of two cases. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab 7(1):65–68

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Bocchi L, De Montisn GF, Maestri A (1958) Ricerche sperimentali sull’evoluzione del callo di frattura mediante lo studio arteriografico. Ateneo Parmense; I

  28. Brownlow HC, Reed A, Simpson AH (2002) The vascularity of atrophic non-unions. Injury 33(2):145–50

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Busillachi P, Rapaccini GL, et al (2006) Ecografia clinica. Idelson ed, Cap 27, pp. 478-79, Vol I.

  30. Bolland MJ, Grey A (2014) A comparison of adverse event and fracture efficacy data for strontium ranelate in regulatory documents and the publication record. BMJ Open 4:e005787. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005787

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Reid IR (2014) Efficacy, effectiveness and side effects of medications used to prevent fractures. J Intern Med. doi: 10.1111/joim.12339.

Download references

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Ortopedica dell’Unversità degli Studi di Pisa, U.O. Ortopedia e Traumatologia II, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Italy

    M. Scaglione, L. Fabbri, F. Casella & G. Guido

Authors
  1. M. Scaglione
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. Fabbri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Casella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Guido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Fabbri.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Scaglione, M., Fabbri, L., Casella, F. et al. Strontium ranelate as an adjuvant for fracture healing: clinical, radiological, and ultrasound findings in a randomized controlled study on wrist fractures. Osteoporos Int 27, 211–218 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-015-3266-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-015-3266-z

Keyword

Search

Navigation