J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1995 Oct;30(5):1382-1388. 10.4055/jkoa.1995.30.5.1382.

Spontaneous Correction of the Angular Deformity after Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children: Preliminery Report

• Chung YK
• Yoo JH
• Song BY
• Park YW
• Roh GC

• KMID: 2423504
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1995.30.5.1382

Abstract

We reviewed 14 children with unilateral fractures of femoral shaft who had an angular deformity after union of 10° to 25°. At an average follow-up of 32 months(15 to 65), we measured remodelling of the proximal physis, the distal physis and the femoral shaft. The average correction was 83% of the initial deformity and there was no relation between the remodelling rate and degrees of malunion. Of the correction of angulation, only 27% had occurred at the fracture site and 73% at physis. The ability of physis to remodel better than that of fracture site. In children under 13 years of age, malunion as much as 25° in flexion deformity will remodel enough to get normal alignment of the joint surfaces.

Keyword

Children; Femur Shaft Fracture; Remodelling

MeSH Terms

Child*
Congenital Abnormalities*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Joints