Paediatric Femoral Neck Fracture: Experience of Management of our Patients and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Femoral neck fractures are rare injuries in children, but their high incidence of long term complications make them an important clinical entity. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of paediatric femoral neck fractures that we managed over a 5-year period. Methods: The study included 4 children (2 boys and 2 girls) who sustained femoral neck fractures and completed a minimum follow-up of two years. All The children had operative management either by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), or closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF). The outcomes were analyzed using Ratliff criteria and record of complications was kept for all patients. Results: The mean age of included patients was 11 years (range, 3 to 16 years). Based on Delbet’s classification, there were no types I (transepiphyseal) and IV (intertrochanteric), 3 type II and 1 type III. A satisfactory outcome was obtained in all 4 (100%) children even in a child who had cut out of the screws post-operative day 10. Conclusion: Despite a small series of internal fixation for paediatric hip fractures, we had encouraging outcomes with no avascular necrosis, no limb length discrepancy or non-union after a minimum followup of two years.