Pre-operative Workup and Planning for Periprosthetic Fractures of the Hip and Knee

Periprosthetic fractures are complex injuries which present a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. These injuries pose a large burden on hospital systems, and their incidence is rising with the increasing volume of hip and knee arthroplasties performed. The morbidity and mortality from these injuries is high. The focus of this chapter is to discuss the initial evaluation of patients with periprosthetic fracture and their pre-operative hospital management. Early medical evaluation and optimization is essential. Radiographic evaluation is discussed and the classification systems for periprosthetic fractures are reviewed.