Limb length after fracture of the femoral shaft in children.
Fifty children, aged < or = 10 years, with isolated fractures of the femoral shaft had scanograms performed at fracture union and a mean 3.9 years later (SD, 1.6 years). Overgrowth was a mean 6.9 mm (95% confidence limits, 5.2-8.6 mm). Age was an influential variable, overgrowth being less in children < 4 and those > 7 years. At fracture reduction, much less shortening should be accepted than is commonly recommended.
Corry
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Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Auckland Children's Hospital, New Zealand.
Nicol
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D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005269:Femur / Q000254:growth & development*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography