Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Femur fractures in institutionalized patients after hip spica immobilization
P F Sturm1, B A Alman, B L Christie
1Department of Orthopaedics, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
The charts of 77 severely handicapped institutionalized children and young adults were retrospectively reviewed to assess the incidence of femur fractures. No fractures occurred in ambulatory patients. Four of 37 nonambulatory patients who did not have hip surgery (10.9%) had sustained a fracture at some time during their life. Six of 21 (29%) nonambulatory patients who were operated on for subluxed or dislocated hips sustained a femur fracture within 3 months after discontinuation of their spica casts. This risk factor should be taken into account when one considers operation in severely affected nonambulant spastic quadriplegic patients.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
Patient-centered Care

