New Surgical Treatment Using a Docking Nail for Postoperative Periprosthetic Femoral Fracture After Total Hip Arthroplasty

We report 2 cases of patients (75 and 81 years old) who had a femoral shaft fracture around the femoral prosthesis after total hip arthroplasty. Using information on the implanted stem and the preoperative radiographs, we cut and trimmed an ordinary supracondylar type intramedullary nail, after which we have termed a “docking nail.” We then performed osteosynthesis using the docking nail, which is connected to the tip of the implanted stem to ensure proper alignment. Within 3 months, bony union with good alignment was observed in both patients without malunion or infection. Clinical and radiographic examination during the follow-up period showed good results. The advantages of this method are that it is less invasive and simpler compared with the conventional methods.