What Doctors Don't Tell YouA recent study has revealed that pins are more effective than casts in healing fractures of the femur in children.
A group of 101 children aged 4 to 10 years who were admitted to one of four paediatric hospitals with fractures took part in the study, which compared external fixation (a series of pins inserted into the bone that are connected to a bar outside of the leg) with hip spica casting (a cast that goes from the hip to the toes). The group that received the pins were back on their feet faster. The only downside is that nearly half the children with the external fixation developed pin-tract infections (Lancet, 2005; 365: 1153-8).
Tom Ferguson MD
Daniel Redwood DC
