Growth disturbances following fractures of the femur and tibia in children.

During a period of 10 years we treated 855 children aged from 1 to 13 years suffering from diaphyseal fractures of the femur or tibia. From this material we were able to compile statistics regarding age, type and level of fracture, quality of reduction and duration of traction. From this material we were able to follow-up 357 fractures at a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 years with a view to evaluating the incidence of dysmetria in relation to age, level of fracture, and the presence of compensatory scoliosis. Our survey showed that lengthening due to growth disturbance following fractures is more frequent in fractures of the middle third of the bone in children in the 5-9 years age group. It also showed that spontaneous correction of axial deformities during growth is more likely to occur in the sagittal plane than in the frontal plane. The radiographic survey showed constant thickening of the fractured diaphysis with sclerosis of the load bearing cortex and thinning where the cortex is under tension.