Thirty-eight patients with central fracture-dislocations, seen over a
seven-year period and all treated non-operatively, were evaluated. A
follow-up study was done on twenty-four patients; the remainder had either
died or could not be located. Several techniques were used to maintain the
reduction obtained by closed manipulation done under anesthesia. The
superiority of the method of traction using pins in the distal and proximal
lateral parts of the femur and the importance of prolonged traction were
demonstrated.