Transient peripartum osteoporosis of the femoral head in first and third pregnancy

• Published in: Journal of clinical densitometry Vol. 15; no. 4; p. 467
• Main Authors: Truszczyńska, Aleksandra, Walczak, Piotr, Rapała, Kazimierz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - methods; Adult; Female; Femur Head - diagnostic imaging; Femur Head - pathology; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Osteoporosis - diagnosis; Peripartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - diagnosis; Pregnancy Outcome
• ISSN: 1094-6950; 1559-0747
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2012.02.010

The aim of this article was to present transient peripartum femoral head osteoporosis. This very rare condition occurred twice in our patient-a woman in her 30s. The cases described in the literature were mostly unilateral, with bilateral hip involvement noted much less frequently. In our patient, transient osteoporosis occurred in the third trimester of her first pregnancy in the right hip, her second pregnancy was uncomplicated, and in the third trimester of the patient's third pregnancy, osteoporotic changes were noted in the left hip joint. The patient breastfed her first and third babies only 3 wk each. She breastfed her second baby for 4 mo. The diagnostic workup was based on the clinical examination and radiographic/magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed bone marrow edema, and the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The treatment consisted in core decompression of the femoral head (foragé), unloading of the hip using crutches as well as administration of calcitonin and calcium supplements. Complete recovery of the femoral heads was achieved. The follow-up time was 7 yr.