The treatment of femoral shaft fractures using a cast brace.

The current trend in the non-operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures is away from prolonged traction and towards early ambulation. The cast brace treatment involves external support to the limb in such a way that maximal use can occur during healing. Early ambulation, while a fracture is healing, provides an environment for complete bone healing as well as allowing joint movement so that the function of the limb is as near normal as possible at the completion of treatment. It is widely accepted that early ambulation of tibial fractures in plaster casts leads to union without significant complications 1 2 3