Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Does Time to Surgery Affect Outcomes for Periprosthetic Femur Fractures?
Michael E Sellan1, Brent A Lanting1, Emil H Schemitsch1
1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Periprosthetic femur fractures around total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasties are difficult complications to manage. With native hip fractures, delay to fixation has been correlated with an increase in postoperative mortality. The effect of time to definitive fixation of periprosthetic femur fractures around THA and TKA is not well established. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of time to definitive fixation on postoperative length of stay and mortality for patients with periprosthetic femur fractures around THA and TKA.
Methods:
A review of 2537 arthroplasty patient charts yielded 235 patients who were diagnosed with a periprosthetic femur fracture at our institution from 2005 to 2014. Time to surgical management, length of stay, demographics, referral status, fracture classification, and fixation modality along with mortality was recorded for all patients.
Results:
One hundred eighty patients met study inclusion (111 THAs, 69 TKAs). Average age was 79.2 years and 72.2% were female. The average time from admission to definitive fixation was 96.5 hours with 31.1% of patients having surgery within 48 hours after presenting to hospital. Postoperative length of stay and mortality were not affected by time to definitive fixation greater than 48 hours for either of the periprosthetic TKA or THA patient cohorts. Postoperative mortality within 1 year was 5.5% for all patients (6.3% THA, 4.3% TKA).
Conclusion:
The timing of fixation of periprosthetic femur fractures does not appear to affect postoperative length of stay or mortality within 1 year.
More Related Videos
09:51The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
07:41An Intramedullary Locking Nail for Standardized Fixation of Femur Osteotomies to Analyze Normal and Defective Bone Healing in Mice
Published on: November 13, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...