Overgrowth after femoral shaft fractures in infants treated with a Pavlik harness

Abstract

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.