Abstract
Peri-prosthetic fractures of the femur around a THA remain challenging injuries to treat. The Vancouver Classification helps to guide decision making, and is based on fracture location, implant fixation status, and remaining bone quality. It is critical to determine fixation status of the implant, even if surgical dislocation is necessary. Type A fractures involve the trochanters, and are usually due to osteolysis. Revision of the bearing surface and bone grafting of the lesions can be effective. Type B1 fractures occur around a well fixed stem, typically at the stem tip. Internal fixation with laterally based locked cable plates is effective. Optimising proximal fixation is important, typically with locked screws and cables. Allograft struts are probably unnecessary with modern angle stable plates. Type B2 and B3 fractures are treated with revision, either with a fully coated cylindrical or a modular fluted tapered titanium stem. Distal fixation should be optimised, while preserving vascularity to proximal bony fragments. The « internal scaffold » technique has been described with excellent results. Rarely, a proximal femoral replacement is necessary. Careful attention to detail and clear knowledge of stem fixation status is necessary for a good outcome.
