Modified Thomas splint for the non-operative management of pediatric femoral shaft fractures

Pediatric femoral fractures constitutes less than 2% of all fractures in children and management of these fractures either by conservative or operative methods are determined by many variables. Initial traction followed by delayed hip spica application is one of the non-operative treatment option for femoral shaft fractures in children below 6 years of age. Selection of an appropriate size Thomas splint to provide an effective initial traction plays a vital role in this treatment aspect. But there is paucity of commercially available Thomas splints of appropriate size for pediatric population. As a solution to address these problems, we share our experience of modified Thomas splints which are made using some of the easily available and reusable parts of Ilizarov apparatus.