Pitfalls in the Treatment of Femoral Shaft Fractures during Growth - the Role of Communication

Background: The management of pediatric femoral shaft fractures inheres specific risks such as delayed union, refracture, posttraumatic deformities, and infection. Methods and Results: In a review of the clinical courses of 179 patients after operative and conservative treatment, we analyzed the complications and defined possible pitfalls. The common pitfalls consist in insufficient communication with the patients and their parents, respectively, technical errors, and questionable indication for the individual treatment method. Discussion: The issues of information, decision-making, indication, and technical errors in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures during growth will be discussed based on the data of six selected exemplary patients who showed a complicated clinical course. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]