Novel technique for removal of a broken intracortical screw during THA

Most reports regarding hardware removal involve the violation of the cortex to allow a specialized to tool to extract a retained fragment. This leaves large, unfilled screw holes that act as stress risers for months postoperatively. This article describes a novel technique to remove a retained intracortical screw fragment during total hip arthroplasty. Conversion of an intertrochanteric osteotomy to a total hip arthroplasty can be made more difficult by anatomical changes to the femur and retained hardware. Direct access to the intramedullary canal during total hip arthroplasty allowed for the safe removal of a retained intracortical screw using this technique.