Outcome of osteosynthesis for periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study

Incidence of periprosthetic fractures around knee is going to rise in near future due to dramatic increase in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our study is a retrospective case series describing the outcome of osteosynthesis for periprosthetic fractures after TKA.

We analyzed the outcome of osteosynthesis for periprosthetic fractures with stable implants in 43 patients having 45 fractures operated between 2010 and 2015.

Out of 43 patients, the majority were female (M-15, F-28) with mean age of 65.95 years, majority had left knee involved (L-24, R-19), with fractures involving femur, tibia and patella, respectively, in 29, 11 and 5 patients. Fracture pattern was Rorabeck type 2 in 29, Felix type 2 in 6, type 3 in 5, Goldberg type 2 in 3, type 3a in 2, Unified classification system type A in 2, B1 in 35, C in 4, E in 2 cases. Anterior femoral cortex notching was found in 13 patients with femoral fractures. According to Tayside classification, 12 patients had type 1 and one had type 2 notching. Different implants were used according to the need of the fractures. After TKA, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery score was 84.2, which reduced to mean 76 at 9 months following osteosynthesis. Three patients had nonunion, one had delayed union and one had implant failure.

Osteosynthesis for periprosthetic fractures around knee with locked compression plate gives promising results. Fractures involving patella are associated with inferior functional outcome. Understanding the fracture pattern and bone stock available for fixation with correct choice of implant and correct surgical technique gives promising outcome in periprosthetic fractures around knee.