Femoral shaft fracture in children treated by early hip spica cast: early result of a prospective study.

Twenty-four children under the age of 10 years with femoral shaft fractures were treated by early immobilization of fracture and application of hip spica cast. The average hospital stay was 3.5 days. The average shortening at time of fracture union was 15 mm. The average time of follow up was 6.7 months. All fractures healed, except for one, in an acceptable position. The average shortening at last follow up was 9.5 mm and the average overgrowth up to the time was 6 mm. There was no incidence of refracture, joint stiffness or any pressure sore.