Prophylactic Technique to Reduce the Risk of Interprosthetic Femoral Fractures

Keywords: Interprosthetic fracture, femoral fracture, prophylaxis

Abstract

Introduction: With increasing life expectancy and patient longevity, the number of hip and knee arthroplasties has risen, leading to more ipsilateral joint replacements and, consequently, a higher risk of interprosthetic femoral fractures (IFF). The objectives of this study were to evaluate fracture-free survival in patients with ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasties who had risk factors for IFF and to assess their functional outcomes. Materials and Methods: Six patients with ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasties were evalu- ated, all operated on by the same surgical team. The mean follow-up was 46.5 months. Risk factors for interprosthetic fractures included stemmed prostheses, advanced age, osteoporosis, distance between stems <8 cm, revision surgery, and obesity. At the time of arthroplasty, minimally invasive osteosynthesis with a locking plate was performed as a prophylactic measure. Results: No cases of interprosthetic fracture, infection, loosening, or revision were observed. The  rehabilitation protocol was not modified. Conclusion: Although few studies have addressed interprosthetic fractures, and their results are heterogeneous, they consistently highlight the same risk factors. We believe that prophylactic osteosynthesis entails low intraoperative morbidity and mortality and provides satisfactory short-term outcomes.

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Author Biographies

Belisario Segura, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Pablo Maletti, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Martín Aguilera, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Marcos Torres, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Bruno Schmir, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Deoclecio Segura, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Raul Silvano, Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina
Hip and Knee Service, Otamed, Mendoza, Argentina

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Published
2025-10-27
How to Cite
Segura, B., Maletti, P., Aguilera, M., Torres, M., Schmir, B., Segura, D., & Silvano, R. E. (2025). Prophylactic Technique to Reduce the Risk of Interprosthetic Femoral Fractures. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(5), 457-463. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.5.1771
Section
Clinical Research