Fracture After Total Hip Replacement: How Surgeons Repair Periprosthetic Fractures

When you’re suffering from chronic hip pain, a total hip replacement can change your life for the better. In fact, most people have total pain relief after their surgery and only 2% deal with ongoing issues. 

But what happens if you get injured and suffer from a fracture near your new hip joint? While this type of injury is extremely rare, with only about 1% of people who’ve had hip replacements sustaining them, certain factors increase your risk, including:

• Being of advanced age (over 65)
• Having osteoporosis
• Being female
• Having osteolysis
• Having rheumatoid arthritis
• Having a history of joint replacement revision surgery

Periprosthetic fractures require immediate attention. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Kevin Park, MD, has extensive experience addressing serious joint issues, like periprosthetic fractures. 

At his private practice in Houston, Texas, Dr. Park creates an individualized treatment plan for fractures after total hip replacement, with the goal of avoiding complications and restoring function. 

Here’s a closer look at how surgeons repair this type of fracture and what you can expect. 

Step 1: Assess the injury

Most people who suffer from a periprosthetic injury do so many years after their initial surgery. Common causes of this type of fracture include accidents and falls. 

Periprosthetic fractures are very painful, making it impossible or very difficult to walk or bear weight on the affected leg. You might also experience significant bruising or swelling near your hip joint or notice that your injured leg looks shorter or misshapen. 

Dr. Park begins treatment of your periprosthetic fracture with an assessment of your injury. He uses imaging tests, like CT scans or X-rays, to look for any underlying bone health issues, to evaluate your bone health and quality, and to determine the exact location and type of fracture you’ve sustained, as well as the condition of your joint implant. 

Step 2: Surgical repair

Almost all periprosthetic fractures require surgical repair. But the exact nature of the surgery depends on different factors, including:

• Severity of your injury
• Location of your injury
• Underlying bone quality
• Condition of your prosthetic

For example, if your underlying bone quality is poor, Dr. Park may recommend coupling the repair surgery with a bone graft to strengthen the weak bone material. This may require a longer surgery and more recovery time. 

Most periprosthetic fracture surgeries involve replacing the prosthetic implant components, stabilizing your injured bone with plates, rods, or screws, and addressing any other bone or joint issues the injury causes. 

Step 3: Recovery

You can expect to spend time resting and recovering after your procedure. The time needed for recovery depends on many factors, including:

• Your age
• Your physical fitness
• Your overall health
• The severity of your injury
• The nature of your surgery

Most patients also benefit from physical therapy to strengthen their muscles and improve balance to help avoid falls or injuries.  

 Do you have more questions about fractures after total hip replacement and how periprosthetic fracture surgery can help? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Park by calling our Houston, Texas, office, or book online now.