FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSEAL PLATE

A retrospective analysis of 30 consecutive fractures of the distal fem oral epiphyseal plate showed the best results occurred when fractures were anatomically reduced and fixed with pins. No fractures with inter nal fixation displaced, whereas 43% of fractures reduced without fixat ion displaced during cast treatment. Complications were more frequent in displaced than nondisplaced fractures. We were unable to demonstrat e that gentle reduction under general anesthesia offered protection ag ainst subsequent physeal arrest when compared with closed reduction in the emergency room; however, reductions in the operating room were mo re likely to be anatomic.