Transepiphyseal fractures of the neck of the femur in very young children

Three-Year Experience and Outcomes of Near-Early Internal Fixation for Femoral Neck Fractures in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Study

Background The fractured neck of the femur in children is commonly caused by high-energy trauma, and despite its low incidence, complications are more frequent. Delayed presentation is not unusual in developing countries. The interval between injury and surgery is thought to be a critical factor in determining outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of "near early" internal fixation (24-72 hours) for fractured neck of the femur in children. Methods This is a retrospective observational study that analyzed complete case records from a period of seven years. Cases were classified according to the Delbet classification and outcomes were assessed using the Ratliff criteria with a minimum follow-up of three years. Results The study included 24 male and 11 female patients, with an average age of 11.28 years. The most common cause of injury was road traffic accidents. The fracture distribution in the study population was as follows: Delbet type II in 18 patients, Delbet type III in 10 patients, and Delbet type IV in seven patients. In our study, all patients underwent near-early fixation, meaning their fractures were fixed within 24-72 hours of injury. The average time for the clinical-radiological union was 8 weeks, and the most common complication was premature physeal fusion, followed by osteonecrosis. Conclusion In developing countries, where patients often experience delayed referrals and lack of awareness, near-early fixation (24-72 hours) of a fractured neck of the femur in children is a crucial option that holds significant value.

Postoperative avascular necrosis of the femoral head in pediatric femoral neck fractures

This study aimed to evaluate the relevant factors of postoperative avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) in children with femoral neck fracture. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 28 children with femoral neck fractures treated at our center between July 2016 and January 2019. The average age was 9.3 (range, 4.4–14) years with 75% male participants. Fracture classification was based on the Delbet classification: there were four, seven, 15, and two cases of type I, II, III, and IV fractures, respectively. Displacement degree was based on the Garden classification. Sixteen cases had insignificant displacement (Garden types I and II), six had medium displacement (Garden type III), and six had significant displacement (Garden type IV). There were six early (≤24 hours) and 22 delayed (>24 hours) surgeries. Twenty-three patients had satisfactory reduction, and five had unsatisfactory reduction. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.7 (range, 12–36) months. Follow-up was evaluated using the Ratliff scoring standards. The correlation between age, fracture classification, displacement degree, surgery timing, reduction quality, and other factors and AVN occurrence was statistically analyzed. Among 28 children, AVN was found in six cases. There were statistically significant differences in displacement degree (P = 0.001) and reduction quality (P = 0.001), while the occurrence of AVN did not significantly differ with sex (P = 0.117), age distribution (P = 0.218), fracture classification (P = 0.438), surgery timing (P = 0.255), and mechanism of injury (P = 0.436). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that displacement degree was a relevant risk factor (P = 0.049, odds ratio [OR] = 8.391, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004−70.117), while reduction quality was not (P = 0.075, OR = 14.536, 95% CI: 0.757−278.928). Although the development of AVN in children with femoral neck fractures may be related to many factors, the results of this research suggest that there is a significant correlation between displacement degree and AVN occurrence.

Imaging Evaluation of Pediatric Extremity Trauma, Part III: Lower Extremity and Soft Tissues

Lower extremity injuries are slightly less common than upper extremity injuries in children, and the structures below the knee are more often involved. Impaction injuries are often associated with twisting forces which can result in subtle buckle and hairline types of fractures, particularly in young children. Epiphyseal-metaphyseal injuries are especially common at the ankle. A variety of avulsion fractures also occur in the lower extremities, often associated with injury to nearby cartilaginous and ligamentous structures. This article reviews the important plain radiograph findings of lower extremity injuries in children as well as indications for special imaging such as ultrasound and MRI.

Transphyseal Femoral Neck Fracture in a Twenty-Month Old Male Child

Transphyseal femoral neck fractures are an extremely rare event, mainly occurring in children subjected to an significant traumatic force. The diagnosis is usually suggested by clinical examination with radiographic confirmation. Management varies; however, no consensus exists as to proper treatment. Intervention is primarily focused on the prevention of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral epiphysis.

We present the case of a 20-month-old male with a delayed diagnosis of transphyseal femoral neck fracture. X-ray (XR) and computed tomography (CT) scan images were used for diagnosis, to track healing, and monitor the possible emergence of avascular necrosis. Final imaging demonstrated full healing without AVN at two years.

This study demonstrates the successful treatment of a rare pediatric fracture type with possible life-changing complications. Reduction, surgical fixation with K-wires, and spica casting are demonstrated as being acceptable treatment in the very young transphyseal fracture patient.

Nonunion of capital femoral physeal fracture with a large metaphyseal fragment

This report presents a case demonstrating the nonunion of a capital femoral physeal fracture with a large metaphyseal fragment in a 10-year-old boy. To our knowledge, there is no previously reported case of this type of nonunion. The treatment of this nonunion presented a potential risk of premature physeal closure and avascular necrosis of the femoral head, so internal fixation using cannulated screws and percutaneously drilling with a Kirschner wire to the metaphyseal fragment was used and was effective in bone union without these complications.

Displaced femoral neck fractures in children: are complications predictable?

INTRODUCTION

Serious complications can occur in the management of displaced femoral neck fractures in children. Are there ways to anticipate this risk and better define eventual contributing factors?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one children (14 boys and 7 girls) were treated between 1999 and 2006 for displaced femoral neck fractures. Nine type II, 10 type III and two type IV fractures were observed according to the Delbet's classification. Anatomical open reduction was performed in 13 patients and closed reduction in eight patients. At a mean follow-up of 26.4 months, the outcome was assessed according to the Ratliff criteria. Postoperative complications were analysed according to the age, fracture type, time-to-surgery and open or closed reduction.

RESULTS

The mean age was 12.1 years. The final outcome was defined as good in 14 patients(66.66%), fair in one patient (4.76%) and poor in six patients (28.58%). Complications occurred in seven patients (33.33%), avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head being the most frequent one (28.58%). In all cases, necrosis was observed in children older than 12 years (p < 0.05) and when time-to-surgery exceeded 48 h (p < 0.05). Necrosis occurred in 44.44% of type II fractures and in 20% of type III fractures (p > 0.05). Only one materialised after closed reduction (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Various factors may contribute to the development of complications in children with femoral neck fractures. Our study supports the hypothesis that older age, late surgery and open reduction are definite predictors of avascular necrosis occurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective study, level IV.

Complication rate after operative treatment of paediatric femoral neck fractures

Paediatric fractured neck of femur injuries is rare and historically has high complication rates postoperatively. We present results from the Birmingham Children's Hospital. Fifteen displaced femoral neck fractures were identified in 14 children over a 10-year period (1997-2006). Mean age at the time of injury was 10 years (range 6-14 years). Mean follow-up was 31 months (range 6-110 months). Anatomical reduction and internal fixation was performed in all cases. Two fractures were classified as Delbet's type-I (13.3%), four type-II (26.7%), six type-III (40%) and three type-IV fractures (20%). Eleven patients were operated on within 24 h (range 4-19 h) and four after 24 h (range 2-11 days). The rate of avascular necrosis was 6.7% overall and 10% excluding pathological fractures. The rate of premature physeal closure was 33.3% overall and 40% excluding pathological fractures. Ninety-three percent of the total study population had a good result according to the Ratliff scoring system. There were no nonunions. One patient had a poor result with avascular necrosis and collapse.

A transepiphyseal fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the mid-shaft of ipsilateral femur in a child: a case report and literature review

The paper describes a rare fracture of proximal femur, classified by Delbet (Am J Surg 6:793-797, 1929) as type I (transepiphyseal type) combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur in a 2-year-old child. Immediate operation with open reduction and internal fixation was successful. During the postoperative course, avascular necrosis (AVN) of capital femoral epiphysis was seen by bone scan. Applying an abduction orthosis used for the treatment of Legg-Calvè-Perthes disease, collapse of capital epiphysis was prevented. Although, a minimal area of AVN and coxa vara remained, no clinical complaints were recorded at the midterm follow-up. While reviewing the relevant literature, the type-I fractures need to be subclassified into two types for appropriate treatment and/or prediction of outcomes based on their anatomic location of the separated femoral capital epiphysis. In type Ia, femoral capital epiphysis is minimally displaced and within the acetabulum and in type Ib it is widely displaced and lying outside the capsule. Our case is a first case of a type Ib fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur. Since the complication rate and the prognosis differed between two subclasses, type-Ib fractures need immediate surgical intervention, our case was prevented from massive AVN. And to prevent the collapse of femoral head following AVN, a major complication of the fracture of proximal femur in child, abduction orthosis is recommended as a choice of treatment.

Risk factors for avascular necrosis after femoral neck fractures in children: 25 Cincinnati cases and meta-analysis of 360 cases

PURPOSE

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is one of the most serious complications of femoral neck fractures in children. Variability in the reported rates of AVN and lack of statistical evidence has minimized the prognostic power of individual studies. The purpose of our study was to review our own cases as well as those from the literature in an effort to identify the risk factors for AVN.

METHODS

We conducted a computerized search of medical records to identify all children with femoral neck fractures treated at our institution from 1980 to 2003. Records were reviewed to determine fracture type (Delbet type I to IV), displacement, age, treatment, and incidence of AVN. A structured search of PubMed was also performed to identify all reports published in English, on femoral neck fractures in children, from 1965 to 2003. Hand searches of major orthopedic journals and reference lists of publications identified additional cases. Of the 275 citations initially identified through our computerized search, 47 met the criteria for further evaluation. These citations were reviewed by 2 investigators, and data was abstracted from 20 reports that provided patient-level data and met our criteria for inclusion.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with 25 femoral neck fractures from our institution were identified including 12 boys and 12 girls with an average age of 8 years (range 1.5 to 16). Over 300 patients who met our study criteria were also identified from the literature, and a total of 360 patients were included in the analysis. Fracture type, displacement, age, and treatment were all statistically significant independent predictors of AVN with P values <or=0.05. With logistic regression analysis, however, fracture type and age were identified as the only significant predictors of AVN. Older children were 1.14 times more likely to develop AVN for each year of increasing age. Type I to III fractures were 15, 6, and 4 times, respectively, more likely to develop AVN than type IV fractures. AVN rate by Delbet class was I=38%, II=28%, III=18%, and IV=5%.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

Although several factors may contribute to the development of AVN, our meta-analysis provides statistical evidence that fracture type and age are the most significant predictors.

Child abuse in infants with proximal physeal injuries of the femur

OBJECTIVE

Child abuse has been recognized to be a common cause of femur fractures in infants. Fractures of the proximal femoral physis in abused infants have been less emphasized. Our report seeks to highlight this infrequent but clinically important inflicted injury.

METHODS

Report of 2 cases and a literature review of fractures of the proximal femoral physis in infants, including the role of abuse in this injury.

CONCLUSION

Proximal femoral physeal injuries occur infrequently in infants but often result from abuse. Diagnosis may be difficult due to lack of femoral head ossification before 4 months of age and clinical findings suggesting developmental dysplasia of the hip. Current imaging modalities can differentiate physeal injuries from developmental dysplasia of the hip. Early recognition and treatment can minimize sequelae.

Transphyseal fracture-dislocation of the femoral neck: a case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of transphyseal hip fracture-dislocation in a 7.5-year-old patient who was treated initially by open reduction and internal fixation. Soon after the injury, the femoral head developed avascular necrosis. The treatment was focused on maintaining adequate hip range of motion and providing femoral head containment with a combined subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy and shelf acetabuloplasty. The patient's young age and good hip remodeling potential contributed to the favorable clinical outcome 3 years after the injury. The long-term prognosis remains guarded, however.

Fractures of the neck of femur in children: an experience at the Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia

The Orthopaedics Unit of Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia became fully operational in 1992. From then till 1999, 14 cases of fractures of the neck of femur in children under the age of 16 years were studied. The aims of the study were to compare our experience with those of other institutions and to serve as a reference point in this region for future study of this rare but disabling condition. The case notes of all the patients aged less than 16 years with fractures of the neck of femur managed at the Aseer Central Hospital between 1992 and 1999 were analysed retrospectively. Information obtained included age, sex, type of fracture, management, outcomes and complications. There were 14 children. The age range between 4 and 16 years (mean = 9.1 +/- 3.8 years). Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. Eight cases (57.1%) were due to road traffic crashes and 6 (42.9%) were due to falls from height. Six cases (42.9%) were of Delbet type II (transcervical) fractures, 5 cases (35.7%) were of type III (cervicotrochanteric), and 3 cases (21.4%) were of type IV (intertrochanteric) fractures. There was no case of Delbet type I (transepiphyseal separation). Patients were treated either surgically by reduction and internal fixation or conservatively by traction followed by hip spica cast application. Avascular necrosis occurred in 7 cases (50.0%). Only 3 cases of partial avascular necrosis were seen and all the 3 improved. The rest 4 (28.6%) had collapse of the femoral head. In only 2 cases (14.3%) of femoral neck fracture, the patients did not have any associated injuries. While fracture of neck of the femur is rare in children, the high incidence of complications that can lead to life-long disability makes it an important clinical entity.

Complications associated with surgically treated hip fractures in children

Although hip fractures make up less than 1% of all children's fractures, they commonly produce late complications such as avascular necrosis, non-union, coxa vara, and premature physeal closure. A retrospective review of 17 patients with a mean age of 11 years (range, 7-14) and with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range, 2.5-12) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for hip fractures was performed. There were 10 transcervical and five cervicotrochanteric fractures, one transepiphyseal fracture, and one intertrochanteric fracture. A total of 25 operations were performed. Overall, the complication rate was 59%, with some patients having more than one complication. Seven patients healed without any complications or sequelae. In the remaining 10 patients, the complications were avascular necrosis (nine patients), coxa vara (eight patients), premature physeal closure (seven patients), non-union (four patients), and chondrolysis (one patient). Avascular necrosis, non-union, and chondrolysis were associated with a poor outcome. At final follow-up, the results were assessed using Ratliff's criteria and included seven patients with good, six with fair, and four with poor outcome.

Algorithms for the treatment of femoral neck fractures

Worldwide prevalence of femoral neck fractures is increasing, doubling for patients older than 50 years. Age of the patient, prefracture activity level, and associated comorbidities must be considered when determining treatment. It seems that hemiarthroplasty is best suited for an elderly patient who is a household ambulator with low demands on the prosthesis. Younger patients, and those with minimally displaced fractures, should be treated with internal fixation in an attempt to preserve the natural hip. Proximal femur fractures in the pediatric population are associated with high complication rates. Because of vascular vulnerability, avascular necrosis of the femoral head continues to be the most frequent and serious complication after hip trauma in children. Femoral neck fractures in children also differ from those in adults because a child can tolerate immobilization much more readily than can an adult. As healthcare resources become more limited and their use becomes scrutinized more closely, cost-effective treatment algorithms for femoral neck fractures will dictate orthopaedic treatment. For some fractures, closed treatment is evolving toward interventional approaches to minimize late sequelae. With the availability of viable treatment options, the potential risks and benefits of individual treatment modalities as related to each fracture pattern must be reviewed.

Complications of fracture of the neck of the femur in children. A long-term follow-up study

This is a long-term study of 53 children with fracture of the proximal femur. The age of these children at the time of injury ranged from 3 to 16 years (average, 10.2 years). The follow-up period averaged 9.4 years (range, 5-20 years). There was a single transepiphyseal fracture, 28 transcervical fractures, 21 basicervical fractures and three intertrochanteric fractures. The overall results were good in 49, fair in 25 and poor in 26% of patients. Better results were obtained in undisplaced fractures and in those displaced fractures where anatomical reduction was achieved and maintained throughout fracture healing. The rate of early and delayed complications was 60%, with some patients having more than one complication. Avascular necrosis occurred in 40%. It was found to be related to initial fracture displacement and was associated was an inferior outcome. Other complications included coxa vara in 36, non-union in 36, premature physeal closure in 38, shortening in 55, arthritic changes in 34, coxa valga in 9, coxa magna in 2, and post-operative infection in 23% of patients. The quality of reduction appeared to influence the occurrence of some complications such as avascular necrosis and non-union.

Salter-Harris type II fractures of the capital femoral epiphysis

Salter-Harris type II fractures of the capital femoral epiphysis have not been previously documented. The authors have treated three patients who sustained four such fractures. One child had a recurrent fracture two years after the first had healed satisfactorily. Two fractures were treated by spica cast immobilization, one fracture by closed reduction and internal fixation, and the other fracture healed without treatment. No patient developed avascular necrosis or other complications. Two of the children had an association with idiopathic slipped capital femoral epiphysis. An etiologic relationship with slipped capital femoral epiphysis, if any, is uncertain.

Types and complications of femoral neck fractures in children

This multicenter collaborative study was undertaken to review the types and complications of femoral neck fractures in children. It is a retrospective clinical and radiological review of 108 femoral neck fractures. Cases originated from four different pediatric hospitals. All the patients had plain radiographs. Fractures occurred at all ages (one day to 18 years), and 63% of the patients were boys. Forty-nine fractures were traumatic; 37 were pathologic, 19 were insufficiency fractures; and three were fatigue fractures. Unless the underlying bone was abnormal, significant high velocity trauma, fall from a height or other severe violence was required to fracture the femoral neck. A unicameral bone cyst was the underlying lesion in 40% of pathologic femoral neck fractures and malignancy in 35%. Osteoporosis as in myelodysplasia, osteogenesis imperfecta and from other causes was responsible for 52% of insufficiency fractures. Because of the unique osseous and vascular anatomy of the femoral head and neck in the growing child, these fractures have a high incidence of complications. Complications included avascular necrosis 13%, premature closure of the epiphyseal plate 12%, varus deformity 8.3%, and nonunion 3.7%. Unless there is a clear history of significant violence, a cause for a femoral neck fracture should be sought, e.g. an underlying bone lesion or a metabolic bone disease. These fractures are rare, but are serious injuries since their complications may lead to a life-long disability.