The femur is the largest long bone in the body which is related to weight bearing.
As a result of rapid increase in traffic accidents and industrial injuries, the incidence of femoral shaft -fractures has risen also.
The methods of treatment in children and adults are different, therefore inadequate treatment can -cause permanent disability.
The authors have reviewed 211 cases of femoral shaft fractures in 204 persons (children and adults) from September 1967 to September 1976 whe were admitted and treated in Orthopedic Department, ´Severance Hospital.
The results were as follows:
1. The fractures occured commonly in the 6-10 yr. age. group (41.2%) in children and in the 21-40 yr. group (54.2%) in adults. Males comprised 138 cases (67.6%).
2. Closed fractures were 185 cases (87.7%) and comminuted fractures were the most common type, 94 cases (44.5%) in all. The fracture site was middle third in 116 cases (55%).
3. Causes were mainly car accidents, 146 cases 071.5%) and industrial injuries. Pedestrian injuries are -particularly common in Korea. Many industrial accidents occur due to inadequate working facilities in -factories.
4. Associated injuries were common in young adults and in order of frequency these were fractures -of the tibia and fibula; skulls; pubic bone.
5. In the early and delayed peration groups, primary bony union rate was better (92%) in the early -than the ]ate operation group (78.3%).
6. The period of bony union was 13 weeks with compression plate and screw fixation: 16 weeks with Runtscher nailing; 17.5 weeks with plate and screw fixation; and 20 weeks with skeletal traction in adults.
7. Knee joint motion was most limited with skeletal traction (33.5%), less with plate and screw fixation (14.7%) and Kuntscher nailing (1.7%), but none with compression plate and screw fixation.
8 Good results were obtained with conservative treatment in children and operative treatment im adults.
9. Complications were much less frequent in children than in adults and were treated well.
10. Post-operative infection rate was 4.436 and infection was treated well with conservative measures.
11. The 9090 skeletal traction in children and compression plate and screw fixation along with cast brace in adults were recommended.
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