Hip fractures in children. A long-term follow up of 17 cases

Late results (average 18 years posttrauma) after hip fractures in 17 children are reported. The average age at the time of fractures was 8.5 years (range 2 to 15 years). The treatment was conservative for undisplaced or slightly displaced transcervical and cervicotrochanteric fractures (Delbet's Type II and III) as well as for intertrochanteric fractures (Delbet's Type IV). The overall complication rate was 25%. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head was seen in two hips, premature epiphyseal closure with leg shortening in two cases, and a coxa vara in one hip. These complications only had resulted in few symptoms at follow up.