Periprosthetic Fracture

Overview

A periprosthetic fracture is a break in the bone surrounding a joint replacement prosthesis, most commonly occurring around hip and knee replacements. As the population of patients living with joint replacements continues to grow and these patients age, periprosthetic fractures are becoming increasingly common. They typically result from a fall or other low-energy injury in a patient with a pre-existing implant, though they can also occur intraoperatively during joint replacement surgery.

Treatment of periprosthetic fractures requires expertise in both trauma surgery and joint replacement. The surgical approach depends on the fracture location, the stability of the existing implant, and the quality of the surrounding bone. Our San Diego orthopedic trauma surgeons work collaboratively with joint replacement specialists to develop individualized treatment plans that address both the fracture and the prosthesis.