Healing of the bone with anti-fracture drugs.

INTRODUCTION: Fracture healing is a complex physiological process. As impaired fracture healing is more frequent in osteoporotic subjects, anti-osteoporotic drugs could have some impact on this process. Areas covered: We reviewed the current literature to evaluate the effects of these drugs on fracture healing and their potential role in supporting this process, especially when impaired. A PubMed/Medline search was undertaken combining the terms 'fracture healing', 'anti-resorptive drugs', 'anabolic agents', 'anti-osteoporotic drugs'. Expert opinion: As clinical evidence on the role of anti-osteoporotic drugs in the process of fracture healing consists mainly of case reports or studies with a relatively small number of patients, large randomized clinical trials are needed in order to extend to the human setting the promising results on these agents as inductors or co-adjuvants of bone healing derived from animal studies.