title: Diagnosis and treatment of common fractures in children: femoral shaft fractures and supracondylar humeral fractures.
abstract: Femoral shaft fractures and supracondylar elbow fractures are two of the most common major pediatric injuries managed by the general orthopedic surgeon. Therapeutic choices frequently are influenced by many factors, including associated injuries, fracture type, and the child's age, social situation, and economic issues. Nonsurgical management of femoral shaft fractures has been a preferred and cost-effective treatment for most age groups, but recently the use of surgical techniques has gained popularity with the overall goal of rapid mobilization of the child. Supracondylar elbow fractures are diagnostically challenging and can result in severe acute and long-term complications. An understanding of fracture presentation, anatomic detail, and surgical applications will optimize the chances for successful outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.forename: Nneka I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Nzegwu
authors.forename: Nancy H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome