Impaction allografting revision for B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures using a Mennen plate to contain the graft: a technical report

We prospectively evaluated the long-term results of a technique using the Mennen plate to contain impacted allograft and support cemented Exeter stem revision fixation for the treatment of three B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs). Three patients with a median age of 77 years were followed-up for a median of 84 months. In all cases the stem bypassed the distal fracture line by a median length of 85 mm (median ratio over femoral diameter = 2.13). The median postoperative Charnley-Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score for pain, function and range of movement was 5, 3 and 6 respectively. Impaction allografting revision could be used for B3 PFFs when the stem bypasses the most distal fracture line by at least two ipsilateral femoral diameters. The Mennen plate can aid to contain the impacted allograft and to maintain fracture reduction and short term stability thereafter, but the long stem is necessary for long-term stability and healing.