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Abstract
Although treatment of femoral shaft fractures by traction and casting satisfactory in young children, it is less useful in obtaining and maintaining satisfactory alignment in adolescent patients. Residual angulation, malrotation. and leg length inequality is well documented. The options for surgical treatment of femoral shaft fractures in adolescents include extemal fixation, plate fixation, and intramedullary nailing. Surgical treatments carry the-risks of growth plate damage and infection, but these risks are very low. Recently, it is generally anepted that adolescent femoral shaft fractures are preferably treated by intramedullary nailing with care taken to avoid damaging the distal femoral physis.
The authors experienced 9 femoral shaft fractures in 8 patients treated with interlocking intramedullary nails from August 1989 to May 1994, and followed up for more than 18 months(range from 18 to 45 months). The results were as follows:
1. There were 6 cases in male, 2 cases in female. Average age at the time of injury was 13 years(range, 11-14).
2. All fractures were united, and the nails were removed at an average 13.3 months after operation: no refracture or femoral neck fracture has since occured.
3. None had angular or rotational malunions, infection and avascular necrosis of femoral head.
The average leg-length discrepancy at the last follow-up was 0.5cm(range, 0-1.0cm) and all were clinically acceptable.
Coxa valga due to premature closure of trochanteric apophysis was not found.
The average femoral neck-shaft angle was 133(130~138) at the last follow-up. So, interlocking intramedullary nailing is a reasonable alternative for the treatment of femoral shaft fracture in adolescents.
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