Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Perkins traction for adult femoral shaft fractures: a report on 53 patients in Sierra Leone

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A retrospective study of 53 consecutive adult patients with 54 femoral shaft fractures treated with Perkins traction over a 25-month period was carried out. Mean length of stay was 52.1 days (range 25–108), and mean duration of traction was 45.0 days (range 23–66). At a mean follow-up of 4.6 months (range 3–9), 50 (92.6%) had healed and 5 (9.3%) had a malunion. There were 4 (7.4%) non-unions, 3 (5.5%) had shortening of more than 2.5 cm and 2 (3.7%) had a re-fracture. The rate of pin tract infection was very high at 42.6% (23 patients).

Résumé

Etude rétrospective de 53 patients consécutifs sur 25 mois, présentant une fracture de la diaphyse fémorale traités par une traction selon Perkins. La durée moyenne de traction était de 45 jours (23–66) et la durée d’hospitalisation de 52.1 jours (25–108). A un délai moyen de 4.6 mois (3–9), 50 fractures (92.6%) étaient consolidées, 5 (9.3%) avec cal vicieux. Il y avait 4 (7.4%) non consolidation, 3 (5.5%) avaient un raccourcissement de plus de 2.5 cm et 2 (3.7%) avaient une fracture itérative. Le taux d’infection sur broche était très élevé, à 42.6% (23 patients).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anderson RL (1967) Conservative treatment of fractures of the femur. J Bone Jt Surg Am 49-A(7):1371–1375

    Google Scholar 

  2. Apley AG (1959) A system of orthopaedics and fractures, 1st edn. Buttersmith, London

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bewes PC (1974) Fractures of the femur in a tropical context: a re-evaluation of Perkins’ traction. Trop Doct 4(2):64–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bryson AF (1971) Treatment of fractures of the femur. Trop Doct 1(1):68–71

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bucholz RW, Jones A (1991) Fractures of the shaft of the femur. J Bone Jt Surg Am 73-A(10):1561–1566

    Google Scholar 

  6. Buxton RA (1981) The use of Perkins’ traction in the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. J Bone Jt Surg Br 63-B(3):362–366

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Charnley J (1950) The closed treatment of common fractures, 1st edn. E&S Livingstone, London

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fakhry SM, Rutledge R, Dahners LE, Kessler D (1994) Incidence, management, and outcome of femoral shaft fracture: a statewide population-based analysis of 2805 adult patients in a rural state. J Trauma 37(2):255–261

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gates DJ, Alms M, Cruz MM (1985) Hinged cast and roller traction for fractured femur. A system of treatment for the third world. J Bone Jt Surg 67-B(5):750–756

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gillquist J, liljedahl SO, Rieger A (1971) Fracture of the femur diaphysis. Traction or nailing? Acta Chir Scand 137(6):515–520

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kevau I, Watters DA (1996) Conservative management of femoral shaft fractures. PNG Med J 39(2):143–151

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mandrella B (2002) The conservative treatment of femur fractures by Perkins’ traction. Unfallchirug 105(10):923–931

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mays J, Neufeld AJ (1974) Skeletal traction methods. Clin Orthop Relat Res 102:144–151

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Moulton A, Agunwa WC, Hopkins JS (1981) Closed femoral fractures: why not simple traction? Injury 13(3):244–248

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Pape HC, Hildebrand F, Pertschy S, Zelle B et al (2004) Changes in the management of femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma patients: from early care to damage control orthopedic surgery. J Orthop Trauma 18 [8 Suppl]:S13–S23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pearson CA (1977) Early protected weight bearing in African patients with fractures of the femur. Injury 9(2):89–92

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Peltier LF (1968) A brief history of traction. J Bone Jt Surg Am 50-A(8):1603–1616

    Google Scholar 

  18. Perkins G (1953) Rest and movement. J Bone Jt Surg Br 35-B(4):521–540

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Perkins G (1958) Fractures and dislocations. University of London, Athlone Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  20. Procter DSC (1962) The functional treatment of fractures of the femur. S Afr Med J 36:598–602

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Usdin J (1969) The treatment of fractures of the femur by Perkins’ traction. S Afr Med J 43(16):480–482

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Berkeley University, 643 Ferdinand Avenue, El Granada, CA, 94018-1983, USA

    Richard Gosselin

  2. Orthopedics and Traumatology, Emergency Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Daniel Lavaly

Authors
  1. Richard Gosselin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Daniel Lavaly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard Gosselin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gosselin, R., Lavaly, D. Perkins traction for adult femoral shaft fractures: a report on 53 patients in Sierra Leone. International Orthopaedics (SICO 31, 697–702 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-006-0233-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-006-0233-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation