title: Femoral-shaft fractures in children: a comparison of immediate casting and traction.
abstract: Two hundred fifty-three femoral-shaft fractures in 246 pediatric patients treated between 1976 and 1986 were retrospectively reviewed, and 186 fractures in 181 patients were available for demographic review. Fifty-nine patients underwent spica casting within 48 h of injury, whereas 127 were placed in traction and underwent delayed casting (>48 h from injury). Fifty-five patients in the traction group and 33 in the immediate-casting group were locatable for long-term follow-up of 8.9 years average (range, 4-20 years). There was no clinically significant difference in limb-length inequalities, or rotational or angular deformities between the two groups at initial casting or at final follow-up. Hospital stay averaged 17.3 days in the traction group and 2.2 days in the immediate-casting group (p < 0.001). Total estimated charges, at current rates, demonstrated an 83% greater patient charge in the traction group than in the immediate-casting group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Utah, and Shriners Hospital for Children, Salt Lake City 84103-4399, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yandow
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Archibeck
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shultz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014143:Traction; D016896:Treatment Outcome