Periprosthetic fractures of the hip

Abstract

The incidence of periprosthetic fractures around the hip is on the rise. Older patients have poor bone stock and treating these fractures is increasingly challenging. They most commonly affect the femur around a hip arthroplasty implant. Although uncemented implants have been implicated more than cemented implants, the contribution of implant fixation or geometry is poorly investigated. We revisit the Unified Classification System (UCS) and summarize the evidence on how to manage these fractures including the choice of implants available.