title: Fractures of the hip in childhood.
abstract: Twenty hip fractures in 19 children aged 2 1/2 to 18 were analyzed in a ten-year retrospective review at the University of Alabama Hospitals in Birmingham, Ala. There was one epiphyseal, one intertrochanteric, 4 subtrochanteric, and 14 intracapsular fractures. The mechanism of injury was usually severe trauma with 31% of the patients sustaining other associated major injuries. Avascular necrosis occurred in three intracapsular fractures (23%), all seemingly related to inadequate internal fixation. Coxa vara occurred in 30% of the patients; all were treated by closed methods, and delayed union and nonunion occurred in 10% of the series. Nine patients developed discrepancies of limb length between 1/2 and 13/4 inches. It was thought that intracapsular fractures should be treated with prompt open reduction and internal fixation with multiple pins; whereas, extracapsular fractures may be treated by either open or closed methods.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000407:Alabama; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006615:Hip / Q000601:surgery; D025981:Hip Injuries; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies