The Supporting Leg for Hip Spica Casting in Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures of Lampang Hospital

Abstract

   To study the effectiveness of the invented supporting leg for hip spica casting in pediatric femoral shaft fractures of Lampang Hospital. This was made by the author and welders of Lampang Hospital. Between October 2002 and March 2006, thirty two hip spica casts were placed on children with femoral shaft fractures and there were 36 applications of hip spica casts. Twenty-three patients (72%) were immobilized first in casts until bone union occurred. The casts were removed in 3 patients (9.3%) before bone healing and were received other treatments later. With six remainings (18.7%) were referred to other hospitals after hip spica cast applications, but these were not related to usage of the supporting leg. All surgeons were satisfied with using the supporting leg. No patient had casting failure that caused from the supporting leg. In conclusion, the invented supporting leg is quite effective in treating in pediatric femoral shaft fractures and also can be used for infants and older children. The supporting leg, made in Lampang Hospital, have many advantages.

Key words : hip spica cast, pediatric femoral shaft fractures