Growth disturbances following fractures of the femur and tibia in children.

We reviewed 160 diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures of the femur and tibia in children treated between 1964 and 1980 at the Orthopaedic and Traumatological Clinic of the University of Rome. The initial documentation was complete in these cases and 96 presented for clinical and radiographic long-term follow-up. The analysis of this material showed that lengthening of the affected limb had occurred in 46% of cases. The amount of such lengthening, however, was only from 0.5 to 1.5 cm and never exceeded 2 cms. It was most frequent in children between the ages of 3 to 8 years with fractures of the tibia, particularly in the upper third of the bone.