[Periprosthetic humeral fracture: complex circumstances need critical selection of therapy].

Although periprosthetic humeral fractures were previously rare injuries, they will increase because of the rising life expectancy of patients and increasing implantation of shoulder prostheses. This article describes a case of an 86-year-old female patient with very thin humeral cortex and a prosthesis filling the medullary cavity. The morphology of fractures and the surrounding circumstances determine choice of therapy.