Subtrochanteric femoral fractures in children. Alignment after 90 degrees-90 degrees traction and cast application.

Abstract

Fifteen children younger than 10 years of age with subtrochanteric fractures treated by a uniform method were evaluated. These patients had been treated with femoral skeletal traction, with the hip and knee flexed to 90 degrees until radiographic callus appeared, then with a hip spica cast. True neck to shaft and anteversion angles were calculated bilaterally using a biplanar method. Leg lengths were measured radiographically and clinically. Mean age at injury was 4.5 years, and mean followup was 6.5 years. Overgrowth averaged 10 mm after fracture. Anteversion at final followup differed only by a mean of 2 degrees from the contralateral side (range, -3 degrees to +4 degrees), and the mean neck shaft angle differed by only 1 degree. Remodeling of coronal angulation was 50% or more in all cases.