Objective To review the research progress of the weak state of the lateral wall in intertrochanteric fracture, in order to provide clinical references. Methods The relevant research literature on the lateral wall of intertrochanteric fracture at home and abroad in recent years was summarized and analyzed in terms of morphology, fracture line in coronal plane, and bone density. Results Assessment of weak state of the lateral wall is particularly important in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Lateral wall thickness is the main way to assess the weak state of the lateral wall, but there are still problems. Many scholars at home and abroad have studied various aspects such as width, height, and length of the anterior cortex, but there is a lack of a comprehensive assessment method. Coronal fractures affect lateral wall morphology and are difficult to detect on X-ray films, requiring vigilance on the part of the clinician. Further research is needed to clarify the correlation between bone density and the weak state of the lateral wall. The femur lesser trochanter fractures interacts with the latertal wall, and the lesser trochanter fracture exacerbates the weak state. The soft tissue around the lateral wall also affects the weak state, so attention must be paid to protecting the soft tissues during operation. Conclusion There are more methods for assessing the weak state of the lateral wall, but none of them has formed a unified standard. Most of the current studies assess the weak state from a single perspective and lack a comprehensive assessment of all aspects affecting the lateral wall. Fewer studies have been conducted to assess the residual lateral wall function after a partial fracture of the lateral wall, and further research is needed.