Prognosis of the Femoral Neck Fracture in Children

Fractures of the hip in children are rare. The reported incidence is low. It is known that the force required to fracture the bone in childhood is of great magnitude. Rang(1983) reported several important differences between childhood and adult fractures. And Morrissy (1980) also reported differences in treatment. The complications of the femoral neck fractures in children are avascular necorsis, premature epiphyseal closure, nonunion, coxa vara, and infection. The reported incidence of avascular necrosis varies from 20 to 60 percent. Many methods of trestment for this complications are introduced up to now. However, a definite method could not be found. Therefore, we reported two cases of femoral neck fracture which complicated the avascular necrosis for whom non-weight bearing trestment after osteosynthesis were given for 16 and 25 months, respectively. In these two cases, we could obtain the following results. Fracture union was not hindered by avasculsr necrosis of the femoral head. Non-weight bearing could prevent the collapse of necrotic head, and seemed to help revascularization of the necrotic head.