Periprosthetic Fracture Management

A periprosthetic fracture is a bony break around prosthetic components. It is often treated surgically. The treatment depends on several factors including the location of the fracture, bone stock, and stability of the prosthetic components near the fracture.

Below are before (left) and after (right) X-rays of an eighty-nine-year-old woman who sustained a fracture between total hip and knee replacements. Aside from the fracture, her hip and knee prostheses were stable. Patient was treated with a combination of long plate, screws, and cerclage wires spanning both the hip and knee replacements.