Femoral Shaft Fractures in Adolescents

Abstract

Summary: Two groups of adolescents with femoral shaft fractures treated by two different methods (traction plus cast and closed intramedullary nailing) at two different hospitals were studied retrospectively. Two of 13 fractures in the nonsurgically treated group had significant shortening requiring corrective surgery. None of the 13 fractures in the surgically treated group had significant complications. Guidelines for treatment of these fractures are proposed.