Single-Leg Spica Cast Application for Treatment of Pediatric Femoral Fracture

found knee flexion of <50° to be associated with an increased risk of reduction loss. More proximal fractures are better treated with greater hip flexion because of their tendency to drift into apex anterior angulation.Step 5: Overwrap the cast liner from nipple line to ankle with cotton or synthetic undercast padding to prevent pressure sores. Some families prefer waterproof cast padding as it allows the child to be immersed for bathing, but it provides less padding at pressure points and increases the cost of the cast.Step 6: Apply fiberglass or plaster cast material starting 1 in (2.5 cm) below the edge of the cast padding and ending 1 in above the malleoli to allow the edges of the cast to be adequately padded when the liner is folded back.Step 7: Apply an iliac crest mold to stabilize the hip, and apply an anterior and valgus mold to the involved thigh to recreate the anterior bow and address the tendency of femoral shaft fractures to drift into varus.Step 8: Trim and finish the cast. Inspect the groin region for rough edges and trim them as needed using the cast saw or bandage scissors. Cast edges should be "petalled with" (covered with short strips of) moleskin as needed.Step 9: After the cast is hard, remove the patient from the spica table and wake him/her up. Place a smaller diaper over the groin inside the cast to prevent cast soiling and a second, larger diaper over the outside of the cast to hold the smaller diaper in place. Following cast application, distal neurovascular status is assessed. The caretakers are trained in cast care and safe patient transport. The fit of the car seat is checked prior to discharge from the emergency room or hospital. Follow-up radiographs with the patient in the cast should be obtained 10 days after cast application. Angulation of ≤15° and shortening of <2 cm can generally be accepted in patients with a midshaft fracture. Angulation of >15° can often be managed with wedging of the cast in the clinic. Excessive shortening may require reapplication of the cast or a change to another stabilization method. Single-leg spica treatment of femoral fractures in children ≤5 years of age has provided reliable outcomes with few complications. Usually, the cast can be removed 4 to 6 weeks following application.