Comparison of titanium elastic nails versus Thomas splint traction for treatment of pediatric femur shaft fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To compare titanium elastic nails with Thomas splint traction treatment for femur shaft fracture in children.

METHODS: The descriptive randomised study was conducted at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from January 2013 to December 2014, and comprised children aged 6-12 years with simple femur shaft fractures. The patients were randomised into two equal groups. Group A patients were treated with titanium elastic nail and group B patients with Thomas splint traction. Patients were mobilised without weight-bearing on the 5th to 7th postoperative day. In group B, traction was maintained for about 8 to 10 weeks. After splint removal, patients were referred to physical therapy. Patients were available for one-year follow-up.

RESULTS: There were 30 patients; 15(50%) in each of the two groups. Those group A had full weight-bearing at 4-6 weeks and early return to routine activities compared to group B patients who took 8-12 weeks. The results were Excellent in 12(80%) patients in group A and 6(40%) patients in group B Postoperative superficial infection occurred in 3(10%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Titanium elastic nailing is an effective treatment of femur shaft fractures in children.