Incidence and predisposing factors of periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures: a literature review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review article was to investigate the incidence and predisposing factors for periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures (PFF) following total hip arthroplasty.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of the medical literature in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to review articles related to PFF, their incidence and risk factors.

Results and conclusions: The incidence of PPF after primary THA was, in general, lower than after revision THA both for intra- and postoperative PFF. The rate of intraoperative PFF ranged from 0.1% to 27.8% and of postoperative PFF from 0.07% to 18%. Predisposing factors for intraoperative PFF are osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, femoral preparation and surgical technique used to insert the rasp or femoral component, the use of press-fit cementless stems, and revision THA. In case of postoperative PFF, the following seem to be significant risk factors: advanced age, female gender, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, proximal femoral deformities, previous surgery of the affected hip, implant type (especially cementless stems and press-fit implantation), technical errors such as cortical perforation, cortical stress risers, low-energy trauma, osteolysis, loosening and revision THA.