Spontaneous insufficiency fractures of long bones in institutionalized elderly patients.

Aim: We report 3 cases of spontaneous insufficiency fracture of long bones, to promote awareness of this phenomenon to medical personnel dealing with long-term bedridden patients.

Methods: Cases were analyzed in the light of a literature review.

Results: Our patients were all women, who were severely debilitated and had been bedridden for prolonged periods of time.