Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42227259›Full record

SynthesisEFORT open reviews2026

Management of infected periprosthetic fracture of hip and knee: a systematic review of the literature.

Luigi Zagra, Mattia Alessio-Mazzola, Giulia D'Andrea, Giacomo Placella, Francesco Anzano, Vincenzo Salini

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in EFORT open reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Luigi ZagraIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Hip Department, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6687-2029
Mattia Alessio-MazzolaUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6741-3713
Giulia D'AndreaUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Giacomo PlacellaUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Francesco AnzanoIRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Unità Clinica di Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Milan, Italy.
Vincenzo SaliniUniversità Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4070-1907

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The coexistence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and periprosthetic fracture (PPFx) is one of the most challenging complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Evidence regarding the management and outcomes of concomitant PJI and PPFx remains limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate treatment strategies for infected PPFx in order to optimise infection eradication, fracture healing, implant survival, and limb function. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420251051853). Studies of level II-V evidence reporting on the management of infected PPFx following THA or TKA were included. Extracted data comprised patient demographics, fracture classification, pathogens, treatment strategies, complications, infection control, and fracture healing outcomes. Results: Thirteen studies involving 210 patients were included, with a percentage of hip fractures of 81.9%. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Cutibacterium acnes. Treatment strategies varied and included revision arthroplasty, plating, intramedullary fixation, distally locked stems, and staged reconstruction with antibiotic-loaded cement or spacers. Fracture union rates ranged from 58 to 100%, while reinfection or recurrence occurred in 6-28% of cases. Stable fixation was associated with improved outcomes, particularly in Vancouver B1 fractures, whereas B2 and B3 fractures showed higher mechanical complication rates. Mortality was reported up to 22% predominately in frail populations. Conclusion: Infected periprosthetic fractures remain rare but involve severe complications. Staged protocols combining infection eradication with stable fixation provide the most consistent outcomes, although treatment should be individualised.

Indexed as

infectionsperiprosthetic fracturePJIrevisionTHATKA

Identifiers

PMID42227259
PMCPMC13240628

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.