Biomechanical evaluation of peri- and interprosthetic fractures of the femur.

Background: Because of an increasing life expectancy of patients and the rising number of joint replacements, peri- and interprosthetic femoral fractures are a common occurrence in most trauma centers. This study was designed to answer two primary questions. First, whether the fracture risk increases with two intramedullary implants in one femur; and second, whether a compression plate osteosynthesis is sufficient for stabilizing an interprosthetic fracture.