Impact on Family Functioning of Immediate Spica Casting for Pediatric Femur Fractures: An Ecological Study

Background: Traditional treatment for femoral shaft fractures in children aged 6 months to years old is closed reduction and immediate spica casting. Pediatric femur fracture cast place unique burdens stresses on the family. The purpose of this study was evaluate impact family from an ecological perspective casting using appropriate validated functioning questionnaires. Methods: Families 46 0.5 6.0 who were treated with one a half leg surveyed Impact Family Score (IFS), Feetham Functioning Survey (FFFS), qualitative comments. determined multiple domains compared between subgroups. Results: Spica pediatric had major impacts families mean age 2.9 (range, 0.5–6.0 years) across domains. IFS demonstrated greater than chronic illnesses. There school (5–6 old) younger (0.5–4 overall score, general domain, disruption coping FFFS discrepancy score. working parent(s) parent at home financial no correlation duration time spent hip either or Conclusions: can have functioning, particularly parents. Providers should consider recognize that each patient unit require education varying levels support. Education undergoing may help prepare them various ways their household dynamics could be affected throughout child’s treatment.