[Internal fixation in the presence of soft-tissue damage in childhood (author's transl)]

Internal fixation is considered for the treatment of 10 percent at most of all fractures that occur in childhood. Only minimal fixation should be applied, to avoid the induction of an epiphyseal lesion in addition to the original fracture. Internal fixation allowing stability during weight-bearing or exercise immediately is not necessary in a child. Concomitant soft-tissue damage hardly affects internal fixation in childhood, except in the case of unstable reduction when there is extensive soft-tissue damage.