Femur Fractures
Femur fractures are usually the result of severe impact to the thigh bone. Treatment depends on where the bone is broken, the shape of the fracture and the age and weight of the child. Infants less than 7 months of age may be treated in a special brace, called a Pavlik Harness. Children between 7 months and 5 years are often treated in a spica cast to hold the bones in the correct position while they heal. This is a special cast that is placed in the operating room with the child under general anesthesia. Older children, or in cases where the fracture us too unstable for a cast, might require surgery to align the bones and hold them in place using nails, plates, or an external fixator. Children typically recover fully from femur fractures. In some cases, leg length deformity or length difference may result and require further treatment.
