Pearls

• Traction splints can provide pain control, but should not be placed if there are associated knee, ankle or hip fractures.
• Obtain full length femur X-rays (AP and lateral) to evaluate for concomitant femoral neck fracture, particularly in high mechanism injuries.
• Midshaft femur fractures in pediatric patients <5yo are typically treated non-operatively with immobilization

Complications

Can lose up to 1500ml of blood with a unilateral femur fracture.