Extract
Displaced periprosthetic fractures of the distal part of the femur
proximal to a stable total knee replacement are infrequent and present a
challenging surgical
problem1. The
reported prevalence is 0.3% to 2.5%, but it is expected to increase because of
the increased numbers of total knee replacements being performed and the
increasing longevity of
patients2-5.Treatment options include bed rest; traction and cast immobilization;
operative fixation with Rush rods, supracondylar nails, and plates with or
without bone-grafting; and revision arthroplasty with a long-stem
prosthesis1,2,4,6-10.
Each of these options is associated with substantial
complications2,5,7.