Modified functional bracing in the ambulatory treatment of femoral shaft fractures in children.
Thirty children aged between 2 and 10 years with fractures of the femoral shaft were involved in a prospective study of a treatment method that requires a short period of traction followed by full weightbearing with a modified hinged functional brace and return to school after an average of 32.5 days. At an average follow-up period of 2 years, no case has shown residual angulation or rotational deformities greater than 10 and 15 degrees. No shortening was demonstrated. Overgrowth of the fractured femur was common, with a maximum of 1.5 cm. No strong correlation between overgrowth and age, site, and type of fracture was found. Results were uniformly good for proximal, middle, and distal third fractures.
Cheng
J C
JC
Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatic Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.
Cheung
S S
SS
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001915:Braces; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005269:Femur / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D011446:Prospective Studies