ISSN: 2577-297X
Authors: Faimali M, Karuppiah SV*, Hassan S, Swamy G, Badhe N and Geutjens G
Background: Periprosthetic fractures following total knee arthroplasty are a devastating consequence of an otherwise successful procedure. With an ageing population and extension of total knee arthroplasty to older patients, the rate of these fractures will continue to rise. The purpose of this study was to observe the mortality and morbidity associated with surgical treatment after periprosthetic fracture of total knee replacement. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients that were admitted to two institutes with a periprosthetic fracture of total knee arthroplasty over a period of five years. Forty five patients underwent operative stabilization (23males and 22 females): by retrograde nailing (n=9), plate fixation (n=32) and 4 revision total knee arthroplasties. Results: Of the 45 patients, there were 20 fractures united within one year of surgery (average 4.8 range 2 to 11months), there was 3 required further surgery for non union (1 following plating and 2 following retrograde nailing). 9 patients died within 6 months of surgery (7 with 4 weeks of surgery). Conclusion: There is a high mortality associated with periprosthetic surgery in the elderly. There was a higher non union rate with retrograde nailing then plating in this group of patients.
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