Periprosthetic Fracture

What is a periprosthetic fracture?

A periprosthetic fracture occurs when you suffer a broken bone around the prosthetic pieces of a joint replacement due to a fall or an accident. Following a total hip replacement, most periprosthetic fractures develop around the stem of the metal piece placed in your femur (thighbone).

If you had a total knee replacement, your fracture may appear in any of the three bones in the joint — the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), or patella (kneecap).

Periprosthetic fractures are often caused by a fall, but you may also develop the fracture following a direct blow to the hip or knee by a car accident. Your risk for this type of injury is higher if you have osteoporosis.

What symptoms develop due to a periprosthetic fracture?

If you have a knee or hip replacement, you’ll develop symptoms such as:

• Pain around the hip, thigh, or knee
• Swelling and bruising around the hip, thigh, or knee
• Inability to walk or bear weight on the affected leg
• The affected leg appears deformed or shorter than the other leg

You should be able to associate your symptoms with the event that caused the fracture, such as a fall or an accident. If you can’t identify a trauma or injury, then your periprosthetic fracture may be due to a stress fracture or preexisting osteoporosis.

Bones that are weak and brittle can easily fracture without significant trauma, which is why osteoporotic fractures are also called fragility fractures.

How is a periprosthetic fracture treated?

Surgery is the first line of treatment for most patients with a periprosthetic fracture. Dr. Park first determines whether the prosthetic implants are still firmly fixed to the bone. If they’re loose, he will replace the components.  

The next step is repairing and stabilizing the fracture. Dr. Park realigns the bones and stabilizes them with devices like screws, rods, and metal plates. If needed, he may also place a bone graft to help strengthen the bone.

If you develop pain and swelling near a joint replacement, expert surgical care is available. Call the Houston office of Kwan (Kevin) Park, MD, or book an appointment online today.