Fractured hip replacement with road leading to distant horizon

Life After Hip Arthroplasty: Can You Get Back to Normal After a Fracture?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on the long-term outcomes for patients who experience a periprosthetic femoral fracture after hip replacement surgery, challenging the expectation of a full recovery."

Hip arthroplasty, or hip replacement surgery, has become a game-changer for individuals suffering from severe hip pain and limited mobility due to conditions like osteoarthritis or fractures. The procedure involves replacing the damaged hip joint with an artificial implant, offering a new lease on life for many.

While hip arthroplasty boasts high success rates, complications can arise. One such complication is a periprosthetic femoral fracture, which is a fracture of the femur (thighbone) near the site of the hip implant. These fractures can occur due to falls, trauma, or even age-related bone weakening.

Dealing with a periprosthetic femoral fracture after hip arthroplasty can be a daunting experience. Patients naturally wonder if they'll ever regain the same level of function and pain relief they enjoyed before the fracture. A recent study published in Hip & Pelvis investigates this very question, comparing patient outcomes before and after fracture treatment to see if a return to the pre-trauma "normal" is truly possible.

The Challenge of Returning to Your Pre-Fracture Self After Hip Arthroplasty

Fractured hip replacement with road leading to distant horizon

The study, conducted by researchers at Chungnam National University School of Medicine in Korea, retrospectively reviewed the records of 26 patients who underwent surgical treatment for periprosthetic femoral fractures after hip arthroplasty. The goal was to compare their clinical outcomes (pain levels, hip function, and walking ability) before the fracture with their outcomes after surgical repair.

The researchers used several measures to assess patient progress:

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS): To measure pain intensity.
Harris Hip Score (HHS): To evaluate hip function, considering factors like pain, mobility, and activities of daily living.
Koval Classification: To assess ambulatory ability, ranging from independent community ambulation to non-functional ambulation.

The study revealed a concerning trend: patients generally did not return to their pre-fracture functional status, even after successful surgical treatment and fracture healing. Specifically, there was a statistically significant worsening in VAS scores (increased pain), HHS scores (decreased hip function), and ambulatory ability after the fracture and its subsequent treatment.

What This Means for You: Setting Realistic Expectations and Focusing on Long-Term Care

While the study's findings might seem discouraging, it's important to maintain a realistic perspective. Periprosthetic femoral fractures are complex injuries, and while surgery can effectively repair the fracture, regaining pre-injury function can be a difficult journey.

The study underscores the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored to the individual needs of patients following periprosthetic fracture repair. These programs should focus on pain management, strengthening exercises, balance training, and gait retraining to optimize functional recovery.

If you've experienced a periprosthetic femoral fracture after hip arthroplasty, know that you're not alone. While returning to your exact pre-fracture state may not always be possible, with appropriate surgical treatment, dedicated rehabilitation, and a focus on long-term care, you can still achieve significant improvements in pain relief, mobility, and overall quality of life. Discuss your concerns and expectations openly with your orthopedic surgeon and rehabilitation team to develop a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5371/hp.2016.28.2.90, Alternate LINK

Title: Could Patient Undergwent Surgical Treatment For Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture After Hip Arthroplasty Return To Their Status Before Trauma?

Subject: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Journal: Hip & Pelvis

Publisher: The Korean Hip Society

Authors: Long Zheng, Woo-Yong Lee, Deuk-Soo Hwang, Chan Kang, Chang-Kyun Noh

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a periprosthetic femoral fracture, and why is it a concern after undergoing hip arthroplasty?

A periprosthetic femoral fracture is a break in the femur, or thighbone, that occurs near the location of a hip implant following a hip arthroplasty. These fractures can happen due to various reasons, including falls, trauma, or the weakening of bones as people age. Dealing with this type of fracture after a hip arthroplasty can be a complex and challenging experience for patients.

How did the researchers in the study measure patient progress and outcomes after treating periprosthetic femoral fractures?

The study used the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity, the Harris Hip Score (HHS) to evaluate hip function considering pain, mobility, and activities of daily living, and the Koval Classification to assess ambulatory ability, ranging from independent community ambulation to non-functional ambulation.

What were the main findings of the study regarding a patient's ability to return to their pre-fracture condition after experiencing a periprosthetic femoral fracture?

The research indicated that individuals typically did not regain their pre-fracture functional status, even after undergoing successful surgical treatment and fracture healing. The study showed a notable worsening in VAS scores (indicating increased pain), HHS scores (indicating decreased hip function), and ambulatory ability after the fracture and subsequent treatment. This suggests that while surgery can repair the fracture, a full return to the previous level of function is often challenging.

Considering the Hip & Pelvis study, what are the implications for individuals who experience a periprosthetic femoral fracture after hip arthroplasty?

Hip arthroplasty improves the quality of life for individuals with severe hip pain. However, if a periprosthetic femoral fracture occurs after the surgery, patients may not fully return to their pre-injury state, even after treatment. The *Hip & Pelvis* study highlighted that patients experienced increased pain (VAS scores), decreased hip function (HHS scores), and reduced walking ability after the fracture. Managing expectations and focusing on long-term care are essential for patients dealing with this complication.

Beyond surgery, what other treatment options or rehabilitation strategies might help patients improve their outcomes after experiencing a periprosthetic femoral fracture following hip arthroplasty, considering the limitations highlighted by the study?

While hip arthroplasty is generally successful, periprosthetic femoral fractures can occur, leading to increased pain (worsened VAS scores), decreased hip function (worsened HHS scores), and reduced walking ability. The study in *Hip & Pelvis* emphasizes the challenge of returning to pre-fracture status, even after successful surgery. Additional rehabilitation programs like targeted exercises, pain management strategies, and assistive devices could be integrated to optimize patient recovery. Future studies may focus on tailored rehabilitation to improve outcomes post-fracture.