Mortality after periprosthetic femur fractures.

Periprosthetic femur fractures are becoming more frequent, as the prevalence of hip and knee arthroplasties keeps increasing and our population continues to age. Although the vast majority of literature on periprosthetic fractures has centered on radiographic and functional outcomes, only limited information is available on mortality. Patients with periprosthetic femur fractures are at a similar or higher mortality risk than hip fracture patients. Furthermore, periprosthetic femur fractures carry a significantly higher mortality risk than hip or knee arthroplasty or operative fixation of native distal femur fractures. Advanced patient age and underlying comorbidities increase the risk of mortality. Factors related to the injury itself and treatment method may play an additional role, especially during the short postoperative period. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.