Financial aspects of femoral shaft fracture treatment in children and adolescents.

The billing records of 58 children and adolescents with femoral shaft fractures treated during 1990 were analyzed. The treatment groups included early spica casting, skin traction, skeletal traction, home traction, and intramedullary rodding. The medical charges included both the hospital and physician (orthopedist, radiologist, and anesthesiologist) components. The total charges were lowest for the early spica group ($5,494) and highest for the skeletal traction and intramedullary rodding groups ($21,093 and $21,359, respectively). Both skin traction and home Neufeld traction were associated with significant savings over in-hospital skeletal traction and intramedullary rodding. With the continually rising cost of health care, it is the responsibility of the physician to know the charges for various treatment options.