Femoral shaft fractures in children: technique of immediate treatment with supracondylar Kirschner wires and one-and-a-half spica cast

Abstract

Sixty-five children between 3.5 and 12 years of age with femoral shaft fractures were treated with fixed traction using supracondylar Kirschner wires incorporated in a one-and-a-half spica cast. Medial angulation up to 15 degrees, lateral angulation up to 5 degrees, and overriding up to 2 cm have been accepted. Posterior and anterior angulations have been rejected. After an average 4-year follow-up, neither joint stiffness nor skeletal deformity developed. At follow-up, maximal shortening was 0.8 cm, and overgrowth was 0.5 cm. Except for complicated cases, the use of this method is justified.