Overgrowth after femoral shaft fractures in infants treated with a Pavlik harness.
This study was performed to determine whether overgrowth occurs when treating infantile femoral shaft fractures with a Pavlik harness. Twenty-three patients, aged less than 1 year, treated with a Pavlik harness for a femoral shaft fracture were included. Shortening at the time of injury was recorded on radiographs and compared with those obtained at the follow-up visit 18 months or later. Average overgrowth was 5 mm (1-18 mm). Overgrowth occurs in infants following treatment of femoral fractures with a Pavlik harness. Initial shortening of up to 18 mm was acceptable and resulted in a leg-length discrepancy of less than 5 mm due to overgrowth in our population.
Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
John
J
Mahajan
William
W
Hennrikus
Brian
B
Piazza
D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007866:Leg / Q000254:growth & development*; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*