Problems in plating periprosthetic femur fractures.

Periprosthetic fractures are typically defined as fractures occurring adjacent to a total joint arthroplasty. However, fractures may occur adjacent to a previous internal fixation device used to treat a prior fracture in the same patient, or between implants (the interprosthetic fracture). All of these injuries tend to occur in frail patients with severe osteopenia, and therefore are very challenging to treat. This article provides a brief but thorough review of the current state of the art regarding the treatment of these challenging problems.