Proximal femoral erosion: A sequelae of psuedoaneursym formation following operative fixation of an intertrochanteric neck of femur fracture

Abstract

A 72-year-old male sustained a left intertrochanteric neck of femur fracture following a fall. He underwent operative fixation with a dynamic hip screw and was discharged home. Fifteen months later, the patient presented again with ongoing left thigh pain and swelling. A pelvic radiograph showed scalloping of the medial proximal femoral cortex. Further investigation revealed a left profunda femoris artery pseudoaneurysm. Vascular injury during operative fixation of intratrochanteric fractures is a rare complication, which may be missed due to a delayed presentation. Treating physicians should be mindful of late presentations of vascular injury following the surgical fixation of proximal femoral fractures.