[Effect of femoral shaft fracture for growth of the lower extremity in children].

On the material of 15 children aged from 1.5 to 15 years (mean 6.6), who were treated conservatively the influence of fracture of the femoral shaft for growth of the lower extremity was assessed. In the follow-up from 1 to 14 years (mean 6.2) 2 patients had shortened of the fractured limb 5 mm, 5 patients had equal extremity and 8 had lengthened limb from 5 mm to 15 mm, at the same time 6 had overgrowth 10 mm and more. The overgrowth of the limb was observed only within of the femur, the legs were equal in every case. The overgrowth was remarked in the cases of spiral fracture with overriding, in fracture of the opposite site to dominant hand, in boys and in the cases which were treated by direct traction.