[Fractures after total knee joint endoprosthesis. Results of treatment with various stabilizing methods].

In 20 patients with a fracture of femur or tibia 5.2 years after arthroplasty of knee the results of the operative treatment are presented. The results show that especially bone damaging diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and the loosening of the endoprosthesis are favorable for the fracture during the follow-up. The conclusion of the investigation shows that in younger patients the external fixation by plates and screws is the preferential treatment, in elderly people or comminuted fracture an internal fixation, also in combination with an additional osteosynthesis, allows a fast mobilization. The number of observed complications is higher than in primary knee arthroplasty, the full weight bearing 1st delayed. The rate of further operations and unsatisfactory results is also higher being affected by the high mean age of the operated patients (73.4 years). The possible use of a total femur implant must be discussed critically because only an individual production can avoid further damage of the parts of the joint that were not concerned by the fracture.