Periprosthetic femur fractures--a growing epidemic.

The number of periprosthetic femoral fractures is increasing, and this trend will continue. The factors contributing to this epidemic include length of time since implantation of the prosthesis; loose stems; aging of the population, leading to osteoporosis and a tendency to fall; and the large number of hip arthroplasties performed each year. These complex fractures necessitate innovative treatments and consideration of the biomechanical impact of the treatments on the entire femur. We present a small series of cases in which periprosthetic fractures were treated with a variety of techniques, including revision and the use of a cable plate, allograft, and an adjustable-angle supracondylar cable plate.