Bilateral Rod Loosening and Sequential Distal Migration after Thoracolumbar Junction Fracture Stabilization

Distal rod migration remains uncommon and has been reported in a variety of anatomical locations, including the retroperitoneal region, knee, and pelvis. It is postulated that spinal fixation without fusion might allow the mechanical system some vulnerability to motion effects of the spine. Bilateral distal rod migration is rarer still. We report the interesting scenario of sequential and delayed bilateral rod migration 17 months after thoracolumbar fracture stabilization.