Comparison of Titanium Elastic Nailing vs Hip Spica Cast in Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures in Children between 6-12 Years of Age

Background: Fracture treatment in children relies on rapid healing and spontaneous correction of angulated fractures; therefore most of the diaphyseal fractures can be treated by plaster alone. Operative treatment of children's fractures is often looked at critically. Aim: To compare mean duration of bone union in traction followed by Spica cast versus titanium elastic nailing for fracture shaft of femur in children of age 6-12 years. Methods: This randomized control trials was carried out in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nishtar Hospital Multan from November 2013 to May 2014. A total of 60 patients were included. Results: Out of 60 patients, 31 were male and 29 were female. The mean ages of patients were 8.84±2.035 of males and 8.97±2.009 of females. The outcomes in Spica casting were have mean duration 8.78±1.88 weeks while in Titanium elastic nailing were have mean 11.90±20.303. Statistically the difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.012). Conclusion: According to this study TEN has better outcomes as compared to the traction followed by Spica cast.