CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF FEMORAL-SHAFT FRACTURES IN PATIENTS WITH TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY

Over a period of 20 years, 34 patients with a total hip arthroplasty w ere treated conservatively for a femoral shaft fracture. Thirty-five f ractures were treated by traction followed by cast-brace or by cast-br ace alone. Sound healing was obtained in 33 fractures. Problems were a ngular malalignment jeopardizing revision surgery in cases of loosenin g, long hospitalization, and a considerable complication rate. As a co nsequence, the authors no longer recommend conservative treatment as t he first choice for these difficult fractures.