Hip screw lateral migration with no cut-out or non-union implication: a case report

Hip screw migration of peritrochanteric fracture fixation devices is a described complication in English literature. Medial migration occupies the majority of these cases whereas lateral migration is rare. We report the case of an 85-year-old woman whose intramedullary osteosynthesis of a trochanteric fracture was complicated by hip screw lateral migration. Mobilization was not influenced and no cut-out or non-union was detected. The migrated hip screw was easily removed and the discomfort vanished. The need for adequate surgical technique and radiographic examination after re-injuries even if the patient remains ambulatory is emphasised.