[Femoral neck fractures in childhood]. / Schenkelhalsfrakturen im Kindesalter.

In a retrospective multicenter study we followed-up 30 fractures of the neck of the femur in children aged 11 years (1.5-15 years) for 4.8 years (0.5-20.0 years). It is the aim of this study to analyse factors possibly related to outcome, like age at injury, type of fracture, interval between injury and treatment, method of stabilization and postoperative interval until full weight bearing. At follow-up subjective parameters (pain, weather sensitiveness), clinical parameters (range of motion, claudication, leg length discrepancies) and radiological parameters (hip series) were investigated and medical charts and roentgenograms were reviewed using a standardized protocol. 29 of 30 children (96.7%) have sustained displaced fractures. Non-operative treatment has been applied in 4 children. 26 femoral neck fractures (type I: 1, type II: 8, type III: 17) were stabilized by internal fixation using screws and/or pins. Following non-operative treatment one child suffered a coxa vara and another child suffered a avascular femoral head necrosis in combination with coxa vara and leg length shortening of 4 cm. Following operative treatment 9 of 26 children (34.6%) suffered a avascular femoral head necrosis and 3 children (11.5%) suffered a coxa vara. In 6 of 26 children (23%) we observed leg length discrepancies > 2 cm. We were not able to demonstrate any significant follow-up result differencies between the groups of children who have sustained type II or type III fractures, or between the groups of children aged < 10 years when compared to children aged > 10 years, or between the group of children who were operated on within 6 hours after the accident when compared to the group of children operated > 6 hours after the accident. We observed no significant follow-up result differences between the groups of children who had different intervals between operation and full weight bearing. Operative fracture management remains the treatment of choice in the majority of displaced femoral neck fractures in children. However, in our limited study we were not able to demonstrate any significant follow-up result differences between the group of children treated by immediate open reduction and internal fixation (interval injury - operation < 6 hours) when compared to children who had been operated > 6 hours after the injury.

Refracture of the forearm in children.

In a retrospective study we reviewed 28 refractures of the forearm in children, which occurred at a mean of 14 weeks after conservative treatment of the primary fracture. The cause for the refracture was incomplete healing of a primary greenstick fracture in 21 cases (84%). Twenty-two recurrent fractures were treated conservatively, but two had a second refracture. Fifteen patients were followed for over two years. Definitive angulation of more than 10 degrees caused a deficit of forearm rotation. To prevent refracture of the forearm in children, complete and circular consolidation of the primary fracture must be guaranteed.

[Recurrent fracture of the pediatric forearm]. / Die Refraktur des kindlichen Unterarms.

In a retrospective multicenter study 28 relapse fractures of the forearm in children were reviewed. The male to female ratio was 23:5. Six children were younger than 6 years, 12 were between 6 and 10 years, and 10 were between 10 and 14 years old. The primary fracture was treated by cast fixation of 3-7 weeks duration. The refracture occurred on a average 14 weeks (4-32 weeks) after the primary fracture by a simple fall (n = 14) or a fall from height (n = 4), or during school (n = 6) or leisure-time (n = 3) sporting activities. In 84% of the patients partial consolidation, i.e. incomplete healing of one cortex of one or both forearm bones, preceded the refracture. In the majority of patients this was observed after a green stick fracture due to permanent angulation. Six patients were operated upon for irreducibility of the relapse fracture; the others were treated by conservative means. In two patients a second refracture occurred. Fifteen patients were available for a 2 year result. Definitive angulation of more than 10 degrees caused a clinically relevant limitation of pro-supination in five of six patients. To prevent relapse fractures of the forearm in children, complete circular consolidation of the original fracture has to be guaranteed. It remains unclear whether this is best achieved by special plaster techniques or by converting a greenstick fracture into a complete, unstable fracture.