Periprosthetic fractures of the femur.

Periprosthetic fractures of the femur represent a heterogeneous and challenging problem for the orthopedic surgeon. The incidence of these fractures is dramatically increasing, as there are more and more patients with aging total joint replacements. The fractures may occur as the result of a traumatic event, but more often are the result of minor trauma spontaneous fracture, and they are frequently associated with preexisting, sometimes neglected, problems with the associated joint replacement.