Fractures of the trochanteric region in children and young adolescents—a treatment algorithm for a rare injury

Abstract

For femoral fractures of the trochanteric region in children and adolescents, only two mechanisms have been identified to cause a fracture of the proximal femur: high-energy trauma or predisposing bone pathologies with inadequate trauma (e.g., simple fall, movement). We identified 20 patients between 1993 and 2018 with a trochanteric fracture under the age of 18 (12 males; 8 females; mean age, 12 years; range, 4–17 years) who were treated operatively at our department. The mean follow-up of all patients was 50.06 months. All 20 patients were treated operatively. Complications occurred after a mean time of 6.27 months (range, 0.47 to 12.07 months) in two patients. Harris Hip Score was evaluated in all patients with a mean score of 94.16 (range 11 to 100). Eighty-five percent of the patients reached an excellent clinical outcome after treatment. Trochanteric femoral fractures in children and adolescents are very rare accounting for only 1% of all trochanteric fractures. Excellent long-term results can be achieved with an adequate fracture reduction. Conclusion: Physicians treating pediatric trauma have to be aware of other predisponding diseases when low-energy trauma leads to a trochanteric fracture as in this study, 50% of the trochanteric fractures were associated with bone pathologies.What is Known:• Trochanteric femoral fractures in children and adolescents are very rare• In all patients with trochanteric femoral fractures, malignancies have to be ruled outWhat is New:• Awareness of an underlying bone pathology in a high number of cases• Awareness for necessity of a good fracture reduction leading to highly satisfactory results