Skin Traction and Spica Casting for Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children

Aim: To determine the outcome of skin traction and spica casting for treatment of femoral shaft fractures amongst children. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and duration of study: Department of Orthopaedic Surgeries, Civil Hospital Bahawalpur and Nishtar Hospital Multan from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019. Methods: Seventy three children, aged 6 to 10 years, with closed femoral shaft fractures, who came to emergency department of orthopaedics within 24 to 48 hours following injury were enrolled. Skin traction was applied immediately after admission for 2-3 weeks, after confirmation of signs of fracture consolidation by the nonappearance of tenderness at the fracture site hip spica cast was applied. Follow up examination was scheduled fortnightly and cast integrity was checked. After removal of cast, final results were assessed. Results: Mean age of the children was 8.1 +/- 2.4 years. There were 54(73.9%) male and 19(26%) females. Angular deformity was not noted in any of the cases. In 6-10 years age group, shortening was noted in 6(8.2%). Outcome After removing spica cast, outcome was recorded as satisfactory in 67 (91.7%) of the cases. Conclusion: Skin traction and spica casting is simple, effective and definitive method of most femoral shaft fracture in children age 6-10 years.