Marianne Flinck: Recovery after thighbone fractures in children
Thighbone fracture is the most common injury requiring hospital admission among children. Marianne Flinck’s research is focusing on the recovery process following fractures and the leg length discrepancies that may persist after the bones have healed.
MARIANNE FLINCK
Dissertation Defense: 26 January 2024 (click for more info)
Doctoral thesis: Femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents; stability, residual deformity and recovery of physical function
Research area: Orthopaedics
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences
Thighbone fractures are the most common cause of injury for children to be admitted to hospital.
In Sweden, the predominant treatment method for children with femoral shaft fractures (the middle part of the thighbone) from the age of six until they reach full growth involves using marrow nails to stabilize the bone during the healing process.
“There are hardly any previous scientific studies that pinpoint the timing of recovery after femur fractures among children and adolescents aged 6–16 years,” says Marianne Flinck, senior orthopaedic consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
Enduring leg length differences
What is the focus of your research?
“The aim of this thesis was to study different aspects of femoral shaft fractures in children and adolescents. This included evaluating the stability provided by various types of intramedullary (inside the bone) nails, exploring any remaining leg length differences in adulthood, determining the recovery period, and investigating if a fear of movement impacts the healing process.”
What are the most significant findings?
“Femur fractures can result in a lasting discrepancy in leg length during adulthood, but relatively rarely exceeding what is considered normal. Recovery takes place gradually in children with femur fractures, and normal walking ability is typically regained within six months,” says Marianne Flinck, adding:
“However, recovery of more complex physical functions for activities, such as long jump or single-leg jumping takes longer. Any fear of movement tends to fade away within the first twelve months following femur fractures in children and adolescents.”
“Rewarding to follow the patients”
What aspects of your PhD project have been enjoyable or rewarding?
“It has been gratifying to engage with patients and accompany them from the time of their fractures through the follow-up visits during the year following the injury.”
What has been challenging or difficult?
“Recruiting patients for the study posed a challenge, partly due to the fracture's infrequency and the need for additional follow-up visits compared to standard procedures.”
Text: Jakob Lundberg