Original Articles
Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children Less than 5 Years of Age: A Study Comparing the Single Leg Spica with the Traditional Spica | |
Vijaya Kumar Chiruvella | |
Introduction: Femoral shaft fractures are among the most common long bone fractures in young children, particularly in those less than five years of age. Objective: The study explores whether the reduced immobilization offered by the single-leg spica has any impact on the functional recovery of the affected limb and on any psychological benefits due to increased comfort and mobility during treatment. Methodology: This retrospective cohort analysis was study included a total of 85 patients, selected based on specific inclusion criteria to ensure the comparability of results between the two treatment groups. Results: The average age of patients was similar, with 3.2 years in the single-leg spica group and 3.0 years in the double-leg spica group. Both casting methods achieved satisfactory alignment and similar healing times, with the single-leg spica group showing a slightly shorter healing duration (5.8 vs. 6.3 weeks) but no statistically significant difference (p=0.12). Complication rates were lower in the single-leg group (12% vs. 17%), though this difference was not statistically significant. Caregiver satisfaction was higher in the single-leg group, with ease of hygiene and child comfort being key contributing factors (p<0.01).Conclusions: The single-leg spica cast is an effective alternative to the traditional double-leg spica, providing comparable fracture healing with added benefits in caregiver satisfaction and ease of management. Its use can enhance treatment experiences in appropriate cases, supporting it as a viable first-line option for femoral shaft fractures in young children. |
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