The Community Orthopaedic Surgeon Taking Trauma Call: Pediatric Femoral Neck Fracture Pearls and Pitfalls.

Abstract

Pediatric hip fractures are uncommon injuries but are associated with a high complication rate including avascular necrosis, coxa vara, nonunion, and premature physeal arrest. This is due in part to the unique anatomy of the proximal femur. Management principles are aimed at minimizing the risk of complications and emphasize the importance of early treatment with anatomic reduction and stable internal fixation with a low threshold for supplementing fixation with a spica cast. The age of the patient and Delbet fracture type dictate the optimal type of fixation for a given case. This article will offer evidence and experience-based tips intended to benefit on-call surgeons caring for these injuries.