Extract
The outcome of an otherwise successful total hip arthroplasty is
occasionally compromised by complications. Fracture around the femoral stem is
a rare but potentially problematic complication of total hip arthroplasty.
Such fractures can range from being minor, with minimal or no effect on the
outcome, to being catastrophic and possibly creating an unreconstructable
problem with an immense effect on the patient's function.The prevalence of periprosthetic fractures is on the rise. Periprosthetic
fractures of the femur are more frequent during arthroplasties performed
without cement and following revision total hip arthroplasties. Currently, the
prevalence of femoral fractures has been estimated to range from 0.1% to 3.2%
for primary total hip arthroplasties without cement and from 3% to 12% for
revisions performed with
cement1. The
introduction of uncemented press-fit stems has resulted in a substantial
increase in intraoperative fracture rates, ranging from 3% to
46%1. With the
substantial increase in the number of total hip arthroplasties being performed
and the growing number of patients with a total hip arthroplasty in place for
more than thirty years, the prevalence of periprosthetic fractures is
anticipated to rise even further.