Calcitonin in the treatment of transient osteoporosis of the hip

Abstract

Background: Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare clinical disorder of unknown etiology characterized by hip pain and functional disability that resolve spontaneously in 6-24 months.

Objectives: To report 2 patients with TOH during pregnancy who had rapid resolution of their illness with the use of calcitonin. To review the literature on TOH with special emphasis on its treatment.

Methods: A MEDLINE search of studies published from 1966 to 2002 was performed to review treatment options for TOH and their effect on the natural history of the disease.

Results: Our 2 patients developed hip pain during pregnancy with classical changes of TOH on MRI. Both patients received calcitonin, 1 during pregnancy and 1 postpartum with resolution of their symptoms within 6 to 9 weeks. Previous reports in the literature of treatment of TOH showed that antiresorptive agents (bisphosphonates and calcitonin) had shortened the duration of the illness compared with the natural history of the disease.

Conclusions: TOH is an under-recognized entity associated with pain and disability. The use of antiresorptive agents may be of help in reducing the duration of the disease.

Relevance: To increase the recognition of TOH and to consider therapeutic interventions to shorten the duration of the disease.