IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-8-26475 Original Research Paper Outcome of paediatric shaft femur fractures managed with hip spica: A prospective study Kumar Dr. August 2020 9 8 01 02 ABSTRACT

Various modalities of treatment are used for the treatment of paediatric femoral fractures. The treatment method chosen depends up on the age of the patient and fracture pattern. In children less than 6 months old, Pavlik harness is recommended, children 6 months to 6 years are managed with spica cast, children aged 6 to 14 years are managed with elastic nailing or biological plating and children aged more than 14 years are managed with standard interlocking nailing. Our study included 26 children with unilateral shaft femur fractures. These fractures were managed with spica casting. Mean duration of skin traction was for 10.64 days. Mean duration of fracture union was 8.2 weeks. At the last follow up of year, we observed 2 patients had shortening of more than 1.5 cm. All the fractures united and no case of non–union was observed. Conservative management of paediatric femur fractures using traction followed by spica cast is a safe and effective method with very low risk of complication and no need of re–surgery for implant removal. If used properly it can be extended to children of 10 years of age particularly in child population of our region who usually have small frame.