Timely Intervention Saves the Limb in a 7-Year-old Child with Distal Femoral Physeal Injury: A Case Report

The distal femoral physis makes an important contribution to limb length and is an uncommon bone to fracture in children. Complications associated with the fracture, such as vessel injury in the short term and angular deformities and limb length discrepancies in the long term, can be detrimental.

A 7-year-old child presented with a distal femoral physeal injury, Salter-Harris type 2, without any associated neurovascular injury, following a road traffic accident. He was operated on the same day with closed reduction and fixation with multiple K wires. Recovery was uneventful, with a full range of movements. At 1-year follow-up, he was diagnosed with valgus deformity but no deterioration in function. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for distal femoral physeal injuries to prevent complications.

Distal femoral physeal fractures, though relatively uncommon, are associated with a higher incidence of complications. Timely diagnosis and treatment minimize the risk of complications. Even then, regular follow-ups are needed for early diagnosis of angular deformities and leg length discrepancies.