Dislocated supracondylar femoral fractures are usually transverse fractures and are unstable. In our opinion the primary treatment of these fractures should be surgical in order to save the patient a protracted healing period. Osteosynthesis using a straight plate is impossible, as the distal fragment is too short. Condylar plates are contraindicated and angular plates have too little stability. We feel that intramedullary pins are unsuitable in children. They provide too little stability when the distal fragment is short. Up to now we have achieved the best results with external fixation. Slipped epiphyses and epiphyseal fractures do not present problems as far as the surgical procedure is concerned (removal of the displaced periosteum, repositioning and compression). Healing is not delayed. The long-term results are poor, however, due to premature closure of the damaged epiphyseal plate.