Teriparatide and orthopedic surgery

Abstract

Teriparatide has an anabolic effect on bone tissue, leading to an increase in bone strength with a reduction in the risk of fragility fractures in osteoporotic women. In the last ten years, many animal studies have been conducted to support the hypothesis that this anabolic effect of teriparatide may benefit fracture healing by reducing the time of callus formation and remodeling. Teriparatide also seems to have an effect in the early post-operative period after osteosynthesis or joint replacement, by stimulating new bone formation, increasing bone-implant contact as early as after 1 week, and enhancing the tensile strength of the bone-cement interface, thereby decreasing the risk of late aseptic loosening. Scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that teriparatide may represent a huge resource for wide applications in orthopedic surgery.