Retrospective multicenter study of 73 pediatric patients with distal femoral physeal fractures treated at two level I centers over 10 years, asking which factors — fracture type, displacement characteristics, and treatment method — reliably predict complications including growth arrest.
When you see a distal femoral physeal fracture, classify it by Salter-Harris type and document displacement — these are the two factors that independently predict growth arrest in multivariate analysis.
When surgical fixation is needed, favor metaphyseal cannulated screws over transphyseal crossed pins whenever the fracture pattern permits, to minimize physeal violation.
Retrospective multicenter study of 73 pediatric patients with distal femoral physeal fractures treated at two level I centers over 10 years, asking which factors — fracture type, displacement characteristics, and treatment method — reliably predict complications including growth arrest.
When you see a distal femoral physeal fracture, classify it by Salter-Harris type and document displacement — these are the two factors that independently predict growth arrest in multivariate analysis.
When surgical fixation is needed, favor metaphyseal cannulated screws over transphyseal crossed pins whenever the fracture pattern permits, to minimize physeal violation.