Migration of a broken steinman pin into the posterior compartment of the leg 12 years after total hip arthroplasty

Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Sep;1(1):35-7. Epub 2013 Sep 15.

Abstract

This report is on a migration of a Steinman pin into the posterior compartment of the calf. It was used to fix a greater trochanteric osteotomy in a total hip arthroplasty. The puzzling note is how this metal piece passed through the anterolateral compartment of the thigh to the posterior compartment of the calf. According to our literature review, migration of fixation pins through the knee joint is an extremely rare occurrence and could be missed by an inattentive physician.

Keywords: Implant complication; Pin migration; Steinman pin; Total hip arthroplasty; Trochanter osteotomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports