Treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures in children: a clinical study

Many therapeutic modalities have been reported for the management of femoral shaft fractures in children and young adolescents but there is no consensus on the preferable method. PURPOSE: To compare the malunion rate of femoral shaft fractures in children treated either by traction and spica cast or traction and functional brace. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 1984 a prospective study was carried out in a tertiary pediatric university hospital on 43 patients (24 boys, 19 girls) with a closed femoral shaft fracture. The patient's age ranged from 5 to 13 years old. Open, pathologic, subtrochanteric and physeal fractures were excluded. Fifteen (15) patients were treated by a functional brace and 28 were treated by a spica cast. Clinical and radiological assessments of all patients were performed 5 years or more after the fracture by an independent observer. A malunion occurred if one of these criteria were met: an angulation > or = 10 degrees in the coronal plane, an angulation > or = 15 degrees in the sagittal plane, a malrotation > or = 15 degrees by opposition to the other leg, and a discrepancy > or = 10 mm between femur's length. RESULTS: A malunion was found in 17 patients, 6 in the functional brace and 11 in the spica cast group (p > 0.05). The leg length discrepancy was the most common type of malunion. The length of stay was not significantly different between both treatment groups. The functional brace was worn longer than the spica cast. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference between the malunion rate of children treated by traction-spica cast and traction-functional brace. The functional brace appears to be a good alternative for the treatment for femoral shaft fracture in children allowing an earlier ambulation than spica cast.     

Traction and spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment outcome of skin traction followed by spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children. METHODS: Between September 1997 and December 2001 inclusive, outcomes of 63 children aged one month to 15 (mean, 5.3) years with closed femoral shaft fractures managed with skin traction and spica casting were reviewed. Depending on age, patients were kept in traction from 2 to 15 (median, 9) days, then in spica casts for 2 to 8 (median, 5) weeks. RESULTS: Bony union took 3 to 12 (median, 6) weeks. There were no malunion, nonunion, or rotational deformities. Nor were there any significant limb length discrepancies, pressure sores, or nerve palsies. On no occasion was a spica cast removed and reapplied for loss of fracture reduction. At final follow-up, limb length discrepancy was noted in 14 (22%) of the patients, but none had a discrepancy of greater than 1.5 cm or a short-legged gait. CONCLUSION: Skin traction followed by spica casting for closed femoral shaft fractures in children is safe, cost-effective and associated with a low complication rate. It is effective in children below 5 years of age and no less effective in older children, except in instances of open fracture, multiple fractures, or older children with large statures, which conditions render them intolerant to spica casts.     

Comparison of titanium elastic nails with traction and a spica cast to treat femoral fractures in children

BACKGROUND: Titanium elastic nails are commonly used to stabilize femoral fractures in school-aged children, but there have been few studies assessing the risks and benefits of this procedure compared with those of traditional traction and application of a spica cast. This prospective cohort study was designed to evaluate these two methods of treatment, with a specific focus on the first year after injury, the period when the treatment method should have the greatest impact. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive children, six to sixteen years of age, were studied prospectively. Factors that were analyzed included clinical and radiographic data, complications, hospital charges, and outcome data. Outcome and recovery were assessed both with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Pediatric Outcomes Data Collections Instrument, version 2.0, and according to a series of important recovery milestones including the time to walking with aids, time to independent walking, time absent from school, and time until full activity was allowed. RESULTS: Thirty-five children (thirty-five fractures), with a mean age of 8.7 years, were treated with traction and application of a spica cast, and forty-eight children (forty-nine fractures), with a mean age of 10.2 years, were treated with titanium elastic nails. All fractures healed, and no child sustained a complication that was expected to cause permanent disability. At one year after the fracture, eighty of the children had acceptable alignment and no inequality between the lengths of the lower extremities. The remaining three children, who had an unsatisfactory result, had been treated with traction and a spica cast. Twelve patients (34%) treated with traction and a cast had a complication compared with ten patients (21%) treated with titanium elastic nails. Compared with the children treated with traction and a cast, those treated with titanium elastic nails had shorter hospitalization, walked with support sooner, walked independently sooner, and returned to school earlier. These differences were significant (p < 0.0001). We could detect no difference in total hospital charges between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study support the recent empiric observations and published results of retrospective series indicating that a child in whom a femoral fracture is treated with titanium elastic nails achieves recovery milestones significantly faster than a child treated with traction and a spica cast. Hospital charges for the two treatment methods are similar. The complication rate associated with nailing compares favorably with that associated with traction and application of a spica cast.     

Skin traction in hip spica casting for femoral fractures in children

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skin traction in hip spica casting when applied as the standard treatment for children with femoral shaft fractures. Methods A total of 207 patients with femoral fractures were treated with this method. The average age was 4.7 years. After the application of skin traction, the fracture of the femur was reduced and was placed in a hip spica cast. Traction was continued in the cast. Results All fractures united within 4–8 weeks. No significant residual angular deformities were seen in any of the children. The only complication was refracture in two children who fell after removal of the cast. None of the children required external shoe lifts, epiphysiodesis, antibiotics, irrigation, or débridement. Conclusions Skin traction and a well-molded hip spica cast is a safe, reliable treatment option for isolated, closed femoral fractures in children 2–7 years of age.     

Pavlik支具与Bryant牵引治疗婴儿股骨干骨折的比较

目的：比较Pavlik支具与Bryant牵引治疗婴儿股骨干骨折的住院时间、治疗费用、皮肤并发症、骨折愈合时间等情况,探讨最佳的治疗方案。方法：对2005年5月至2010年8月收治的42例婴儿闭合性股骨干骨折患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。采用Pavlik支具治疗23例（Pavlik组）,男14例,女9例;年龄1～12个月,平均（5．5±2．4）个月;中上1／3段16例,中段7例;横形骨折18例,斜形骨折5例。采用Bryant牵引治疗19例（Bryant组）,男15例,女4例;年龄2-12个月,平均（6．7±2．8）个月;中上1／3段13例,中段6例;横形骨折12例,斜形骨折7例。对两组患者的住院时间、治疗费用、皮肤并发症、骨折愈合时间及愈合情况、双下肢差异情况进行比较分析。结果：所有病例获随访,Pavlik组随访时间19-30个月（平均25．3个月）,Bryant组随访时间17-28个月（平均23．7个月）。住院时间、治疗费用在Pavlik组分别为（0．4±0．7）d,（2147．7±64．9）元,在Bryant组分别为（27．1±2．2）d,（2741．3±227．6）元,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。Pavlik组无皮肤并发症,Bryant组出现皮肤水泡8例,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P．（0．05）。骨折愈合时间、双下肢差异在Pavlik组分别为（4．1±O．3）周,（6．3±4．1）mm,在Bryant组分别为（3．9±0．3）周,（7．6±4．3）mm,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。骨折愈合情况：Pavlik组20例愈合,Bryant组18例愈合,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：Pavlik支具治疗婴儿股骨干骨折在住院时间、治疗费用、皮肤并发症方面优于Bryant牵引。     

Treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children by early spica casting

Eighty-five children with femoral shaft fractures were studied prospectively to determine the benefits of early application of a single-hip spica cast. They were compared with 85 children with similar fractures treated by skin traction for 4 weeks followed by a spica cast for 2 weeks. The study revealed that femoral shaft fractures in children can be treated in a single-hip spica cast with results comparable to those achieved by traction. The additional advantages were substantial savings in cost, early reunion of child with parents and increased availability of beds.     

Early casting of femoral shaft fractures in children

Twenty-six children with fractures of the femur were entered into a prospective study to determine the efficacy of treating certain of these fractures by early spica cast immobilization. They were compared with 50 consecutive patients with similar fractures who were treated prior to the study to determine the potential cost savings and decrease in patient days in hospital. The clinical results of treatment were compared with results from the literature and the previous group where applicable. Our conclusion from this study is that most femoral shaft fractures in children under 10 years of age can be treated by closed reduction and early spica cast immobilization with results that are at least as good as those achieved by conventional methods, and with a 70% savings in hospital cost. Factors such as obesity, swelling, shortening, comminution, and fracture type can all combine to give relative contraindications for the use of this technique.     

Birth-associated femoral fractures: incidence and outcome.

Femoral fractures resulting from birth injuries are rare. The authors undertook a study to assess their incidence and outcome. Seven patients from a total of 55,296 live births suffered 8 femoral fractures (incidence 0.13 per 1,000 live births). Twin pregnancies, breech presentations, prematurity, and disuse osteoporosis were associated with the occurrence of a fracture. The typical injury pattern was a spiral fracture of the proximal half of the femur, which was held in an extended position. A variety of treatment modalities were used, including gallows traction, spica cast, and Pavlik harness. All patients in this study, regardless of treatment, had a satisfactory clinical outcome, with no evidence of limb length discrepancy or angular deformity on follow-up.     

Use of the Pavlik harness for hip displacements. When to abandon treatment.

Seven hundred twenty congenitally dislocated or subluxated hips in 550 patients less than one year old, treated with the Pavlik harness, were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 11% of the hips proved irreducible by Pavlik harness treatment, 9% had dysplasia at the end of harness treatment, and 5% developed dysplasia by the age of two years two months (average). Fourteen percent of the hips positive for Ortolani's sign, 6% of the hips positive for Barlow's sign, and 2% of the congenitally subluxated hips required open or closed reduction followed by plaster hip spica immobilization. Avascular necrosis occurred in 0.7% of the hips treated with the Pavlik harness alone. Transient irritability with pain and limited motion of the hip occurred in 1% of the hips. The Pavlik harness is not appropriate for the larger child, most children older than eight months of age, the child in whom the examiner does not get an adequate sense of reduction, the hip that redislocates with the slightest adduction, and the hip that requires excessive flexion to maintain reduction. Pavlik harness treatment should be abandoned in favor of other methods if, after two to four weeks of use, abduction has not improved sufficiently to allow reduction, the hip has not reduced, or the hip remains unstable.     

Ineffective hip rotation with Pavlik harness: Prospective study of 35 infant dislocations

35 hips in 31 infants diagnosed as unstable were treated with a Pavlik harness and followed by weekly clinical and monthly ultrasound evaluation to determine eventual stability. 26 hips became stable within 3 months, and 9 dislocations required reduction with hip spica placement; 1 of these subsequently required open reduction. Of the 7 infants with 9 hips that failed, 2 children had a late onset of treatment, 2 children had problems with brace fit or family acceptance, and 3 other children had no problem with use of the orthosis. Internal rotation of a degree not possible with the Pavlik harness was required to reduce 4 of these 9 hips. The Pavlik harness is ineffective in some patients because of the need for internal rotation.     

The treatment of pediatric femur fractures with early 90-90 spica casting

Twenty-three consecutive children younger than 6 years with a closed femoral shaft fracture stemming from low-energy trauma were treated with an early spica cast. With the patient under general anesthesia, a fiberglass cast was applied in sections. A short-leg cast was applied first, and then the patient was placed on the spica table. The hip and knee were flexed to 90 degrees, and traction was applied to the injured limb via the short-leg cast while the cast was completed. The popliteal fossa was well padded, and a valgus mold was placed at the fracture site. The average number of days in the spica cast was 42 (range, 18-57 days). Average shortening of the fracture at the time of cast removal was 1.0 cm (range, 0.1-2.1 cm). Final patient examinations were performed 18-24 months after the fracture. Overgrowth averaged 1.1 cm in the femur (range, 0.5-1.9 cm) and 0.4 cm (0-0.7 cm) in the tibia. Limb lengths in each patient were within 1 cm of the contralateral limb when measured by scanogram and by blocks. The success of early spica cast treatment in this series can be attributed to strict patient selection and meticulous cast application.     

Algorithm for the management of femoral shaft fractures in children

Purpose

Pediatric closed femoral shaft fractures are commonly related to a good prognosis. There is no consensus on treatment. We aimed to evaluate the treatment, features, radiological findings and management strategies, creating an algorithm of treatment.

Materials and methods

Fifty-two simple femoral shaft fractures in children were retrospectively evaluated for age and gender distribution, side of the fracture, etiology of injuries, limb length discrepancy, range of knee and hip motion and parents satisfaction with a mean clinical and radiographic follow-up of 3 years and 6 months. Twenty-eight patients were treated with reduction and early hip spica cast while 24 patients were treated with external fixation (EF).

Results

Nearly 58 % of the cases were caused by traffic accidents and were predominantly male (61.5 %). Most of the fractures were of the middle femoral shaft (57.6 %). Muscle strength was normal (MRC scale) in all patients with no pain (NIPS and PRS scale). Knee and Hip range of motion were similar in both types of treatment. Patients treated with EF had shorter limb length discrepancy compared with SC. There were no reports of re-fracture. We found a higher familiar satisfaction in patients treated with EF.

Conclusions

An algorithm for the management of femoral shaft fractures in the pediatric population is proposed. Results on the study population gave raise to a satisfactory clinical and radiological results.     

Pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated by flexible intramedullary nailing

Background: Nowadays pediatric femoral fractures are more commonly managed with operative treatment rather than conservative treatment because of more rapid recovery and avoidance of prolonged immobilization. Children between the ages of 5e13 years are treated either by traction plus hip spica and flexible/elastic stable retrograde intramedullary nail, or external fixators in the case of open fractures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated by stainless steel flexible intramedullary nail in children between 5 and 13 years of age. Methods: There were 32 cases of femoral shaft fractures which were all fixed with stainless steel flexible intramedullary nail under fluoroscopy. Long leg cast was applied at the time of fixation. Partial weight bearing was started 2 weeks after surgery. Patients were evaluated in follow-up study to observe the alignment of fracture, infection, delayed union, nonunion, limb length discrepancy, motion of knee joint, and time to unite the fracture. Results: We were able to follow up 28 out of 32 patients. The patients were 8.14 years of age on average. The mean hospital stay after operation was 4 days and fracture union time was 9.57 weeks. There were 3 cases of varus angulation, 2 cases of anterior angulation, and 4 cases of limb lengthening. Conclusion: Patients aged between 5 and 13 years treated with flexible intramedullary nail for closed femoral shaft fracture have rapid union and recovery, short rehabilitation period, less immobilization and psychological impact, and cost-effective.     

Use of an abduction brace for developmental dysplasia of the hip after failure of Pavlik harness use

The authors reviewed the records of 15 infants who were treated with an abduction brace after Pavlik harness use for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) failed. Failure was defined as persistent dislocation or instability of the hip. Thirteen of these 15 patients had resolution of DDH with the use of an abduction brace. The median time spent in the brace before stabilization of examination findings was 24 days; the median time in the brace before normalization of ultrasound parameters was 46 days. There were no complications with regard to use of the abduction orthosis. At final follow-up of an average of 3 years and 7 months, no patient had undergone surgery and no patient had residual dysplasia or avascular necrosis of the hip. The two patients in whom both the Pavlik harness and abduction brace failed went on to successful closed reduction and spica cast application.     

Overhead extension in delayed diagnosis of congenital hip dislocations in children, following failure of treatment with the Pavlik harness]

Authors report, based on a retrospective examination of 103 dislocated hips of 85 children, on experiences with the overhead treatment of congenital hip dislocations, resistant to Pavlik harness or lately recognized. The results are compared with those of 23 hips of 20 children treated with Pavlik harness and plaster casts. Follow-up time was 3-15, in average 7 years. It is stated that the overhead extension treatment not followed by stiff fixation resulted in 92 per cent reduction in resistant and lately recognized hip dislocations. This procedure has caused in only 4 per cent severe necrosis of the femoral head with lasting consequences. Their experience with Pavlik harness combined with plaster cast are unfavourable as in 4 of 23 hips treated subtotal, in another 7 partial femoral head necrosis has developed.     

Immediate single-leg spica cast for pediatric femoral diaphysis fractures

PURPOSE: Immediate spica cast application is the standard of care for young children with isolated femur fractures. We evaluated the outcomes and function of children treated with single-leg spica casts. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 45 children treated with single-leg spica casts. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, hospitalization time, time in cast, and complications were collected by chart review. Children returned for a physical examination and radiographs. Subjects completed a questionnaire about the child's functional level and the Activities Scale for Kids. RESULTS: There were 33 boys and 12 girls. The average age was 3.3 (9 months to 9 years). The mechanism of injury was a fall in 71%. The mean hospitalization was 1 day (0-4 days) and the mean time to union was 6 weeks (4-9 weeks). Ninety-five percent of the patients crawled in the cast, 90% pulled to stand, 81% cruised, and 62% walked either independently or with assistive devices. One half of the patients in school or daycare returned while in the cast. Two children failed because of unacceptable shortening. Two children required repeat reductions under anesthesia due to unacceptable alignment. Five casts broke at the hip joint. At final review, there was 1 rotational malunion. There were no radiographic malunions. The median Activities Scale for Kids score was 95 of 100 possible points. CONCLUSIONS: The single-leg spica can safely, effectively manage low-energy femur fractures in young children. SIGNIFICANCE: The single-leg spica may address some of the social concerns associated with the use of a spica cast for simple femur fractures.     

两种手术方法治疗股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较股骨重建钉与逆行髓内钉加空心钉治疗股骨于合并同侧股骨颈骨折的疗效,探讨各自的手术适应证.方法 回顾性分析2001年1月至2010年5月收治的21例股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折患者资料,采用股骨重建钉固定10例(股骨重建钉组),逆行髓内钉加空心钉固定11例(逆行髓内钉加空心钉组).两组患者术前一般资料差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05),具有可比性.术后1、3、6、9、12个月及以后每年随访1次,通过临床和影像学评估骨折愈合情况和并发症的发生情况.结果 21例患者术后获12 ～48个月(平均27.1个月)随访.两组患者在手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、住院时间、股骨干骨折愈合时间、股骨颈骨折愈合时间及Friedman-Wyman功能评定结果等方面差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).股骨重建钉组住院费用高于逆行髓内钉加空心钉组,差异有统计学意义(t=16.710,P=0.016).两组股骨干骨折愈合率(9/10 vs.10/11)、股骨颈骨折愈合率(9/10 vs.11/11)差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).股骨重建钉组4例发生并发症,逆行髓内钉组7例发生并发症.结论 股骨干合并同侧股骨颈骨折的治疗应采取个体化原则.股骨重建钉更适用于股骨颈基底部骨折合并狭部及狭部以近的股骨干骨折;对于头下型、难复位的股骨颈骨折合并同侧股骨干远端骨折或需要同时处理的膝关节内损伤、关节周围骨折的患者,逆行髓内钉加空心钉更为理想.     

Three-point fixation walking spica cast: an alternative to early or immediate casting of femoral shaft fractures in children

A retrospective review of 28 children treated for middle and proximal femoral shaft fractures was undertaken. Following preliminary traction, a modified pantaloon walking spica, utilizing the principle of total contact and three-point fixation molding, was applied, followed by immediate ambulation. The mean anterior bow was 5 degrees varus/valgus, 6.5 degrees angulation, and 1.2 cm shortening. There were no significant differences in the results when age groups or proximal to mid-shaft fractures were compared. No further shortening or angulation occurred with ambulation. The advantages of early ambulation and better control of proximal shaft fractures are discussed.     

Non-accidental injury,femoral shaft and neck fractures in children

Fractures of the femur present some unique challenges to the treating orthopaedic surgeon. Non-accidental injury must always be considered. There are various modalities that can be used in the management of shaft fractures and these should be treated with careful consideration of not just the fracture pattern but also the patient’s age, weight, bone maturity and social circumstances. Treatment options include: Pavlik harness, traction, spica casting, elastic nailing, sub-muscular plating, external fixation and intramedullary nailing. Selection of one treatment option over another should be done with full involvement of the patient and family. Femoral neck fractures, while rare, are associated with high-energy trauma and generally need to be treated as emergencies. Accurate anatomical reduction and fixation is crucial; despite this they have high rates of complications and these patients should be followed up for an extended period of time.     

Transepiphyseal fractures of the neck of the femur in very young children.

Five severely displaced transepiphyseal fractures of the neck of the femur in five very young children were treated nonoperatively with a spica cast. Four of these fractures healed in varus, but two with an open proximal femoral physis corrected with growth. One fracture had an 18-month delay in diagnosis and treatment, but subsequently healed after a valgus osteotomy of the proximal femur and bone grafting. There was no case of avascular necrosis. We recommend initial nonoperative treatment with hip spica cast immobilization for this type of fracture in the very young child. If correction of residual coxa vara or limb length discrepancy is indicated, it may be done later.