Femoral overgrowth following plate fixation of the fractured femur in children

The purpose of this study is to determine the overgrowth phenomenon of the affected femur following plate fixation of femoral fractures in children. 15 patients (aged between eight and 14 years old), who underwent open reduction and plate fixation for fractures of the femur, were assessed at two years postoperation for limb length discrepancy. Measurements were made using a computed tomography (CT) scanogram. Its association with age, limb dominancy and site of fracture were analysed. There were 12 boys and three girls. All children had femoral overgrowth of the injured femur, ranging from 0.1 cm to 2.0 cm with a mean of 1.15 cm. There was a significant correlation between age and bone overgrowth. Limb dominancy and site of fracture had no significant influence on femoral overgrowth. The amount of femoral overgrowth following fracture stabilisation with plate in children was minimal. It could still occur even without fracture overlapping during the healing process. The overgrowth was less in older subjects.