Results of operative treatment of periprosthetic femoral shaft fracture after total hip arthroplasty

Periprosthetic femoral shaft fracture represents an uncommon but potentially devastating complication associated with total hip arthroplasty. The treatment should result in complete union of the fracture and at the same time guarantee stability of the implant. 15 patients treated between 1992 to 1998 were analysed. Clinical and radiographic follow-up averaged 30 months (6-79 months) in 13 cases. Two patients died regardless of the fracture. The method of treatment depended on the intraoperative stability of the prosthesis and in addition on the fracture type (Bethea). In 5 cases of intraoperative stability of the prosthesis plate fixation was performed. Plate fixation was complicated by fixation failure combined with a recurrent fracture in two cases leading to shift to a long stem prosthesis. Ten cases of fractures associated with loose stems were treated with a new prosthesis using a long stem system. In these cases an uncomplicated healing of the fracture was achieved with adequate stability in radiographic examinations. The average Harris score was 70 (26-93). For fractures near the femoral stem or in case of implant loosening we recommend the shift to a long stem prosthesis. Also in fractures distally from the femoral stem tip we prefer now long stem implants rather than plate fixation to avoid large exposure of the femoral shaft and resultant complications.