PROGNOSIS OF THE FRACTURES OF THE FEMORAL-NECK IN CHILDREN

Hip fractures in children have always had a reversed prognostic resulting from their numerous complications. A retrospective study of hip fractures has permitted a better understanding of these fractures in regard with appropriate therapeutic measures. Fractures (28) of the femoral neck were retained for this study. Fractures were classified along the Delbet classification, treatment was generally surgical in displaced fractures, and results were based on the Ratliff evaluation. Of the 3 traumatic epiphyseal injuries, 2 showed slight displacement in young children and the result is good, while the 3rd case showed avascular necrosis. Only 53% of the 17 transcervical fractures had a good result. Of the 13 displaced fractures, 6 showed signs of avascular necrosis. In these cases, the prognosis is unpredictable and unrelated with the age of the patients. Seven of the 8 basicervical fractures have a good result (88%). A better comprehension of these fractures and of the vascularization gives better knowledge of the significant difference of prognosis in type II and type III fractures.