Is there a difference in the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) with use of internal versus external fixation for treatment of periprosthetic fractures?

Authors: Mitch Harris, Sofiene Kallel, Abhiram R. Bhashyam, Andre Shaffer

RECOMMENDATION: Unknown. There is limited evidence comparing the risk of PJI with use of internal versus external fixation to treat periprosthetic fracture. The potential for pin tract infection, particularly with inadvertently placed intra-articular pins, make internal fixation the preferable treatment option in most cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Limited

DELEGATE VOTE: Agree: 90%, Disagree: 5%, Abstain: 5% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)

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