A periprosthetic fracture is the break in the bone that usually occurs around a joint prosthesis, such as a knee or hip implant. Essentially, these fractures happen after joint replacement surgery and might be the result of trauma, a fall, or an osteoporotic or otherwise weakened bone.

Trauma is a common cause of periprosthetic fracture, as from a fall or other accident. In some cases, bones around the prosthesis have weakened over time due to osteoporosis or some underlying condition, making periprosthetic fracture more likely to occur. Sometimes, if the bone is under persistent stress around the prosthesis, a fracture can result.

Treatment of the fracture depends on the location and severity of the fracture, and can range from surgical fixation with plates, screws, or wires to stabilize the bone to revision surgery to replace the prosthesis. For less severe fractures, immobilization and physical therapy may be utilized.

These risks includes, but are not limited to, infection, clotting of the blood, poor healing of the bone, and loosening of the prosthetic. Patients with periprosthetic fractures may also have to bear the pain of a longer period of recovery due to the difficulty of the fracture and the surgery itself.

The time to recover might be different because of the grade of the fracture and the mode of treatment. Surgical patients may take many months, up to a year, for complete recovery, and physical therapy plays an important role in the return of strength, motion, and function.