title: J-splint use for temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures: a review of 18 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pediatric femoral fractures are common injuries encountered in the field and in emergency departments. Currently described temporizing management strategies include skeletal traction, skin traction, traction splinting, and posterior splinting, all of which are suboptimal in some instances. J-splinting femur fractures may be advantageous in temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of J-splint use for temporizing management of pediatric femur fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a retrospective review of 18 pediatric patients with femur fractures treated with J-splinting in the emergency department. Patient age, weight, and presplinting and postsplinting pain scale ratings were recorded, as well as presplint and postsplint anteroposterior and lateral radiographic fracture angulation. Pain before and after J-splinting was compared using a paired t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of this cohort was 5.4 years (range, 6 months-13 y), with a mean weight of 21.1 kg (range, 7.7-57 kg). In this cohort, there was a significant reduction in pain after reduction and splinting from a mean of 6 to a mean of 1 (P < 0.001). No significant difference in fracture alignment was noted after J-splinting. No complications were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The J-splint is a reliable, simple, and rapidly applied splint that prevents many of the complications and downfalls of other described temporizing measures and helps to provide excellent pain management in the acute setting.
authors: From the Divisions of *Orthopaedic Trauma and †Pediatric Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Ritterman
authors: Alan H
authors: AH
authors: Daniels
authors: Patrick M
authors: PM
authors: Kane
authors: Craig P
authors: CP
authors: Eberson
authors: Christopher T
authors: CT
authors: Born
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013165:Splints; D014143:Traction