title: Periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur after total knee arthroplasty : Plate versus nail fixation.
abstract: The incidence of periprosthetic fractures about a TKA is increasing. Traditionally, these fractures are classified by their location and prosthesis integrity. In the setting of a supracondyar fracture about a well-fixed prosthesis, both plate and nail fixation of the fracture present themselves as options, each with unique benefits and pitfalls. Through review and discussion of the literature, we aim to describe some of the patient, fracture, and implant related factors that should be considered when planning fixation of periprosthetic fractures about a TKA. Additionally, we present several technical pearls that may be useful in the successful treatment of these difficult injuries.
  
  
  
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authors.affiliation: University of Washington medical center, department of orthopaedics and sports medicine, 98195 Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, school of medicine, 1959, NE Pacific St., 98195 Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bechtold
authors.affiliation: University of Washington medical center, department of orthopaedics and sports medicine, 98195 Seattle, Washington, USA. Electronic address: sassoon@uw.edu.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sassoon
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D057068:Periprosthetic Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Distal femur; Knee arthroplasty; Periprosthetic fracture