Volkmann contracture and compartment syndromes after femur fractures in children treated with 90/90 spica casts

Scott J. Mubarak; Steve Frick; Ernest Sink; Karl Rathjen; Kenneth J. Noonan

doi:10.1097/01.bpo.0000230329.06460.f7

Volkmann contracture and compartment syndromes after femur fractures in children treated with 90/90 spica casts

Scott J. Mubarak, Steve Frick, Ernest Sink, Karl Rathjen, Kenneth J. Noonan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nine pediatric patients (mean age 3.5 yrs) with low energy femur fractures were treated with 90/90 spica casts and developed leg compartment syndromes, Volkmann contracture, and ankle skin loss. These cases are detailed and a proposed mechanism leading to this devastating complication is explained. The authors believe the technique of an initial below knee cast, and then using that cast for applying traction while immobilizing the child in the 90/90 spica is potentially dangerous. Alternative spica application methods are advocated.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	567-572
Number of pages	6
Journal	Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Volume	26
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/01.bpo.0000230329.06460.f7
State	Published - Sep 2006

Keywords

Compartment syndrome
Femur fracture
Spica cast
Volkmann's

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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10.1097/01.bpo.0000230329.06460.f7

Cite this

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title = "Volkmann contracture and compartment syndromes after femur fractures in children treated with 90/90 spica casts",

abstract = "Nine pediatric patients (mean age 3.5 yrs) with low energy femur fractures were treated with 90/90 spica casts and developed leg compartment syndromes, Volkmann contracture, and ankle skin loss. These cases are detailed and a proposed mechanism leading to this devastating complication is explained. The authors believe the technique of an initial below knee cast, and then using that cast for applying traction while immobilizing the child in the 90/90 spica is potentially dangerous. Alternative spica application methods are advocated.",

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AU - Mubarak, Scott J.

AU - Frick, Steve

AU - Sink, Ernest

AU - Rathjen, Karl

AU - Noonan, Kenneth J.

PY - 2006/9

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N2 - Nine pediatric patients (mean age 3.5 yrs) with low energy femur fractures were treated with 90/90 spica casts and developed leg compartment syndromes, Volkmann contracture, and ankle skin loss. These cases are detailed and a proposed mechanism leading to this devastating complication is explained. The authors believe the technique of an initial below knee cast, and then using that cast for applying traction while immobilizing the child in the 90/90 spica is potentially dangerous. Alternative spica application methods are advocated.

AB - Nine pediatric patients (mean age 3.5 yrs) with low energy femur fractures were treated with 90/90 spica casts and developed leg compartment syndromes, Volkmann contracture, and ankle skin loss. These cases are detailed and a proposed mechanism leading to this devastating complication is explained. The authors believe the technique of an initial below knee cast, and then using that cast for applying traction while immobilizing the child in the 90/90 spica is potentially dangerous. Alternative spica application methods are advocated.

KW - Compartment syndrome

KW - Femur fracture

KW - Spica cast

KW - Volkmann's

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Volkmann contracture and compartment syndromes after femur fractures in children treated with 90/90 spica casts

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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