Periprosthetic fractures of the femur following hip arthroplasty

Periprosthetic femoral fractures are one of the leading causes of revision total hip arthroplasty. Risk factors for these fractures include intraoperative factors (ie, use of cemented technique and host factors, such as osteoporosis and osteolysis) and postoperative factors (ie, osteolysis and trauma). This article discusses prevention, evaluation, management, and technique issues of these fractures. A final section discusses the author's preferred treatment choice of these fractures, based on an algorithm developed by Duncan and Masri.