Fractures of the femoral neck in children:: long-term follow-up in 62 hip fractures

In this retrospective study, we evaluated the characteristics of 103 femoral neck fractures in 102 children seen our department between 1978 and 1994. In order to evaluate the correlation between the chosen procedure and complication risks, we further reviewed the late treatment results of 62 fractures in 61 children of the series whom we had followed for a minimum of 8 years. The ages of these children at the time of injury ranged from 2 to 14 years (average 10.2 years). Sixty-three hips were available for clinical and radiographic follow-up at a minimum of 8 years (mean 14 years). Overall, 67.2% radiologically good results were obtained. Complications were coxa vara in five (8%), avascular necrosis in nine (14.5%), premature epiphysis fusion in five (8%), coxa valga in two (3.2%), non-union in one (1.6%), limb shortening in seven (11.3%), and arthritic changes in two (3.2%). Our long-term follow-up revealed that the type of treatment influences the complication rate more than do the characteristics of the fracture itself, and that the end result cannot be satisfactorily determined until after physeal closure. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.