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Deformities in conservatively treated closed fractures of the shaft of the femur in children.

We present the outcome of non-operative management of fractures of the shaft of the femur in children. Thirty children with non-operatively managed unilateral fractures of the shaft of the femur were studied. The mean age was 6.5 years (range: 1.2 to 12). Axial, angular and rotational malunion were assessed clinically and radiologically by plain films and computed tomography (CT). All children had shortening of the fractured limb with a mean shortening of 1.8 cm (range: 0.5 to 3.5). A significant level of shortening was seen in children over 7 years. In the sagittal plane, all had anterior angulation ranging from 4 degrees to 31 degrees (mean: 17.8 degrees) and in the coronal plane, lateral angulation (varus) was seen in 90% (27 patients) with a mean angle of 8.9 degrees. Rotational malunion ranged from -43 degrees to +43 degrees (mean: 9.5 degrees), 30% had rotational malunion of > 20 degrees compared to the uninjured side; 73% had internal rotation malunion and 27% had external rotation malunion. We conclude that non-operative management of fractures of the shaft of the femur in children often results in malunion at the fracture, particularly in the older age group and in comminuted fractures. Perhaps a longer follow-up might have shown lower levels of malunion. Frequent monitoring of fracture position may reduce the occurrence of deformity. It may be appropriate to consider reduction and operative stabilisation of such fractures whenever neces-