J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2006 Apr;41(2):322-327.

Overgrowth Following TibialShaft Fractures in Children

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. jhahn@eulji.ac.kr

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.

Keyword

Tibial shaft fracture; Overgrowth; Children

MeSH Terms

Child*
Femur
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Leg
Lower Extremity
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Tibia
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