Fractures of the hip in children are of infrequent occurrence. The type of fracture is cervicotrochanteric in 75 per cent. of the cases.
Treatment by the methods usually applied in adult cases has not been satisfactory.
After reduction, fixation is best secured by abduction, plaster, and traction. Skeletal fixation in plaster may be substituted for traction.
Adductor tenotomy may be necessary in delayed reduction.
Cases seen late in coxa vara position (after four weeks) should be permitted to unite and then to have the deformity corrected by osteotomy; otherwise aseptic necrosis may supervene.
Aseptic necrosis is a frequent complication. To lessen the damage from it, a long period without weight-bearing should be advised.