A Clinical Study of the Fractures of the Femoral Neck in Children

Fractures of the femoral neck in children are rare and usually occur as a result of severe trauma. They are one of the most challenging injuries to treat. Their complication rate is high and their anatomic and physiologic characteristics make treatment difficult. The commonly encountered complications are avascular necrosis, nonunion, coxa vara and premature fusion of epiphyseal plate. Treatment of these fractures remains an unsolved problem but accurate reduction held with adequate internal fixation would appear to offer the best chance for succesful results. We report our observations in the treatment of eighteen cases of fracture of the femoral neck in children. Included is a review of references. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Among 18 patients, 11 were boys and 7 were girls. the highest incidence was between the ages of 5 and 7 years. 2. The main causes of fractures were traffic accidents in 10 cases (55.5%), falling from a height, and slipping down. 3. The commonest type of fracture was the cervicotrochanteric type (47.4%). Twelve cases were displaced fractures (66.7 %). 4. The range of Pauwels angle varied from 20° to 70°. 5. The commonly associated injuries were pelvic bone fractures, extremity fractures, skull fractures and soft tissue injuries. 6. Nine cases were treated by skin traction and plaster cast. Five cases ere treated by closed reduction and internal fixation with K-wires or knowles pins. 7. In 13 of the 18 cases, follow-up studies were done for an average period of 18 months. 8. The results were analyzed according to the Ratliffs assessment. Among the 13 cases, 10 cases showed good results, two fair and one poor. 9. All cases treated by closed reduction and internal fixation showed good results without complications. 10. Complications developed in five cases (38.5%), three cases of avascular necrosis and two cases of coxa vara. Among these five cases, one case of avascular necrosis developed as a result of neglect of the fracture and the others as a result of too conservative a treatment. 11. Secondary treatment of trochanteric arthroplasty was required in only one neglected case. This was further by avascular necrosis and the results were poor. 12. As a result, we recommond closed reduction and internal fixation as the most favorable method of treatment for the fracture of the femoral neck in children.