A simple reproducible technique for the retrieval of broken proximal femoral blades, a technical note and review of literature

Despite advances in metallurgy, fatigue failure of hardware in orthopaedics is common especially when a fracture fails to heal. Revision procedures can be difficult, usually requiring removal of intact or broken hardware. Several different methods are usually used to successfully remove the intact or broken hardware. The proximal blade fracture is rare and under-reported in the literature. In our tertiary non-union and limb reconstruction unit, we have developed a technique for an easy and quick removal of a broken proximal femoral blades.