Intertrochanteric Hip Fracture in a 4-year child: A Case Report

Abstract

Hip fractures are rare in children and are less than 1% of all pediatric fractures and less than 1% of all cases of hip fracture. The literature agrees that early treatment, whether surgical or conservative, reduces the risk of complications. The clinical case we present concerns a pertrochanteric fracture with displacement of the greater trochanter in a 4-year-old child. The fracture was a type 4 according to Delbet classification. Clinical evaluation was carried out using the Ratliff scheme. Clinical criteria include pain, movement, activity and X-ray evaluation of the fracture both from the point of view of the formation of the bone callus, and the alteration of the diaphyseal cervical angle (DCA). It was surgically treated with three cannulated screws and a hip spica plaster cast immobilization with a Kirschner wire to avoid secondary displacement. The cast was maintained during the 6 weeks healing period of the fracture. After plaster cast removal, the child begins physiotherapy with an experienced physio in pediatric trauma. The child healed without complications.