Treatment of the Children's Femur Shaft Fracture by Early Spica Cast

Chung, Kwang Hoon; Shim, Jong Sup; Sung, Ki Sun; Park, Seung Jun

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the proper indication, technical point and complication of the early hip spica cast.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-one children with thirty-two fractures more than 2-year follow up were included. The patient's average age and weight were 5 year 2 months and 19.1 Kg respectively. Spica cast was applied as follow. First short leg cast was applied, and then patient was placed on the spica cast table. During the cast incorporation, the hip and knee flexed sufficiently to maintain length and alignment of the fracture, and popliteal fossa was well molded and padded. The meticulous valgus molding of the fracture site was also needed.
RESULTS
Average bayonet overriding of the fracture was initially 1.1 cm, however it increased to 1.5 cm during cast immobilization. In the 9 patients (28.1%), cast wedging correction were needed to 3 to 14 days after initial cast immobilization and the cause of correction was related to patients weight. At the final follow up, there was no serious functional or cosmetic complications.
CONCLUSION
For the successful treatment, the proper patients selection, meticulous cast application and careful radiographic assessment after cast application were needed.