[Fracture of the medial femoral condyle as a complication of retrograde femoral nail removal].

A 26-year-old female patient with a femoral shaft fracture underwent retrograde femoral nailing. Nail removal was performed 2 years later, after fracture healing. An intraoperative fracture of the medial condyle of the femur occurred. This complication has not been previously described in the literature. Screw osteosynthesis of the fracture was performed and articular congruence reestablished. After 6 weeks of fractional weight bearing, the patient proceeded up to full weight bearing without complication. The case demonstrates that the removal of retrograde femoral nails is not without complications. The decision to undertake implant removal should be made carefully.