Early versus late hip spica casting for paediatric femoral shaft fractures

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treating paediatric femoral shaft fractures by early (48 h) hip spica casting. A retrospective review of 44 patients with 44 femoral shaft fractures treated by either early or late hip spica application with at least 9-month follow-up was undertaken. Both groups were treated on an inpatient basis. The late hip spica group had skin traction applied before the application of a hip spica. The outcome measures involved both clinical [Pediatric Outcomes Questionnaire (POQ) and Activities Scale for Kids (ASK)] and radiological outcomes. Complications were noted. A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 33 months (range: 7–66 months) were evaluated. Overall, 20 patients underwent early and 24 had late hip spica casting. At follow-up, the ASK was similar amongst the two groups (44.2 vs. 44.8, P=0.8). However, the POQ was better in the early hip spica casting group (24.7 vs. 28.9, P=0.01). Length of hospital stay and duration of immobilization in the hip spica were significantly shorter in the early group (P
Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics B - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: HIP & FEMUR Source Type: research