Five patients with femoral-shaft fractures were treated by cast-brace
application and early ambulation. As fracture healing progressed, pressures
between the thigh and the cast were recorded with the patients lying still,
contracting the quadriceps while lying down, and in four weight-bearing
postures. Control results were gained by application of a second cast-brace
to three of the patients when they had recovered completely. Resting
pressures averaging sixteen millimeters of mercury were recorded under the
whole cast. Much higher values were recorded under the proximal two-thirds
of the cast, and these increased as healing proceeded. Removal of the hip
hinge, thereby eliminating fixed abduction, reduced pressure recordings
significantly.