Encountering a rare implant in the hip-a case report

Hip fractures are common injuries in the elderly population. Present day management is stabilisation of these fractures as early as possible. The use of internal fixation devices in the treatment of hip fractures has proved to be a major advancement in modern surgical therapy. Implants used for the fixation of hip fractures have evolved in the last two to three decades. Many complications of internal fixation have been described. Failure or complications following fixation of hip fractures include secondary osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis which may result in great disability and pain. Hip arthroplasty is a helpful reconstructive procedure in these patients who had complications following primary fixation surgery. In addition to technical problems of reconstruction in them, there may be associated difficulties of removal of metal work which has been used for previous surgeries. This is a case report of a patient who had complication following a hip fracture surgery about 33 years ago, now presented with secondary hip arthritis and a rare implant portion in situ.