Overgrowth and correction of rotational deformity in 12 femoral shaft fractures in 3-6-year-old children treated with an external fixator.

We treated 11 young children (3-6 years old) who had uncomplicated femoral shaft fractures primarily with an external fixator. 9 children were available for follow-up and were evaluated for the amount of overgrowth and rotational deformity. All underwent a clinical examination and an MRI after mean 21 (13-25) months. The mean overgrowth was 0.4 (-0.3-1.1) cm and the anteversion angle showed a mean increase of 12 degrees, as compared to the contralateral femur. In 5 children with an anteversion angle difference of 10 degrees or more, a second MRI was done 4 years after the trauma. The mean anteversion angle difference of the femora in these 5 children had diminished from 15 degrees on the first MRI to 7.4 degrees on the second. 3 of the 5 children had a full correction of their rotational deformity. Growth did not correct the rotational deformity in the oldest child in this group.