Principles of management and results of treating the fractured femur during and after total hip arthroplasty.

The management of fractures of the femur during and after total hip arthroplasty can be difficult, and treatment can be fraught with complications. The ideal scenario would be one in which these fractures are prevented. It is important that the surgeon has a through understanding of the principles of managing these fractures and has access to a variety of fixation and prosthetic devices and allograft bone when necessary in order to provide the best treatment. Because periprosthetic fractures range from the very simple (requiring no surgical intervention) to the complex (requiring major revision), a classification system of these fractures aids in understanding both the principles of management and results of treatment.