Immediate spica cast system for femoral shaft fractures in infants and children.

From August 1973 through August 1976, 55 femoral shaft fractures in children were treated by manipulative reduction and immediate application of a double hip spica cast. All had satisfactory results and none had serious complications. Data from the study support our opinion that the immediate spica system is the treatment of choice for these fractures and that traction methods should probably be abandoned as definitive treatment of a femoral shaft fracture in a child.