Remodelling of Angular DeforMity after Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children

Pyo, Young Bae; Ha, Sang Ho; Sohn, Hong Moon

Abstract

The common sequelae after femoral shaft fractures in children are leg-length discrepancy, angular deformity and rotational deformity. Overgrowth after the conservative management of fractures has been clearly defined, and it has been reported that rotational deformities can remodel. The importance of angular deformity after fracture is less clear although it has been reported as many as 40% of cases. So, authors reviewed 15 children (16 cases) with unilaterral femoral shaft fractures who had more than 10 degrees angular deformity after conservative treatment and observed the remodelling of deformity both at the fracture site and the physes. after average follow up of 34 months, the results were as follows 1. The average correction was 84% of the initial angular deformity; the physes contributed more than the fracture site. 2. The anterior angulation remodelled better than the varus angulation. 3. Younger children remodelled better and the magnitude of the angulation influenced the degree of remodelling.