[Shaft fractures in infancy].

Abstract

Shaft fractures in young children have certain characteristics that are related to the type of accident and bony structure of this age group, the rapid healing process, and the long subsequent growth period. 1. Due to the high incidence of falls, green-stick, compression, and torsion fractures predominate. 2. Reduction and immobilization can nearly always be achieved by conservative treatment or simple osteosynthetic procedures. 3. The intensive remodelling process makes precise reduction unnecessary. Tolerance is greatest for side-to-side displacement and least for rotational deformities, especially in the forearm and leg. 4. The most common consequence of fracture healing is overgrowth of the fractured extremity, the intensity of which increases in proportion to the degree of spacing in the fracture area. 5. Complications are uncommon and are due mainly to overlooked rotational deformities, repeated manipulations, erroneous indications, or inappropriate internal fixation. 6. Anticipation of further growth is never an acceptable excuse for leaving an improperly aligned fracture to be "outgrown". 7. When certain basic precepts peculiar to this age group are observed, the treatment of shaft fractures in young children nevertheless carries a favorable prognosis.