Overgrowth Following TibialShaft Fractures in Children.
10.4055/jkoa.2006.41.2.322
- Author:
Hayong KIM
1
;
Kyu Hyun NA
;
Joon Hyuk KO
;
Kap Jung KIM
;
Jae Hoon AHN
;
Won Sik CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. jhahn@eulji.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Tibial shaft fracture;
Overgrowth;
Children
- MeSH:
Child*;
Femur;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Leg;
Lower Extremity;
Medical Records;
Retrospective Studies;
Tibia
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
2006;41(2):322-327
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To assess the comparative growth of the four long bones of the lower extremities after the tibial shaft fractures in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight children (age, 8.2+/-2.6) with tibial shaft fractures treated with a closed reduction and a long leg cast were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up was 54.4 months (range, 24-96). The medical records and Bell-Thompson images were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The clinical results were excellent in all cases. The fractured tibia showed overgrowth (4.4+/-3.3 mm) compared with the contralateral side. The ipsilateral femur showed mild over-growth (0.9 mm+/-3.7), and the final leg length discrepancy was 5.3 mm+/-5.4. Four ipsilateral femurs showed overgrowth >10 mm. Gender, the level of the fractures and associated fibular fractures did not affect the overgrowth of the fractured tibia (p>0.05). However, age might affect the amount of overgrowth (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Tibial shaft fractures in children treated with a long leg cast showed variable overgrowth. The final leg length discrepancy was influenced by the overgrowth of the ipsilateral femur as well as by overgrowth of the tibia.
