BACKGROUND Reconstruction of Charcot feet remains a surgical challenge. The goal of this study was to investigate safety and clinical benefit from reconstruction of Charcot feet using an external fixator. There is limited valid data regarding long-term outcomes for Charcot foot procedures. METHODS In a retrospective study, 292 Charcot feet (282 patients) undergoing reconstructive procedures i...

External fixators include pins and wires placed by surgeons to stabilize fractures such as those involving the tibia. In critical care, external fixators are more commonly used to stabilize cervical spine fractures. Because halo fixators secure cervical alignment, these devices allow early mobilization and shortened stays. However, halo-fixator complications include cranial pin loosening, local...

UNLABELLED Distraction osteogenesis is an effective method for lengthening, deformity correction, and treatment of nonunions and bone defects. The classic method uses an external fixator for both distraction and consolidation leading to lengthy times in frames and there is a risk of refracture after frame removal. We suggest a new technique: lengthening and then nailing (LATN) technique in whic...

INTRODUCTION Epiphysiolysis of the femoral head is the most common accident occurring towards the end of pre-puberty and puberty growth. CASE REPORT The author describes the experience in the treatment of chronic epiphysiolysis in two patients treated by Southwick osteotomy. The site is accessed by way of a 15-cm long lateral skin incision and the trochanteric region is reached through the la...

This is a retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiological outcome in 24 patients with acute or chronic posttraumatic elbow instability, who were treated with open reduction, internal fixation and a hinged external fixator. The instability was acute after elbow fracture dislocation in 11 cases; the other 13 had chronic posttraumatic instability of the elbow. Concentric stability and a su...

BACKGROUND Instability of the hip joint is a source of great discomfort to the patient due to pain, limp and leg-length discrepancy. Pelvic support osteotomy with Ilizarov hip reconstruction, along with its various modifications, has emerged as a standard treatment modality for this difficult problem. We present a series of patients with unstable hips treated with a modification of the monolate...

PURPOSE We assessed whether an intramedullary lengthening device would reduce the problems normally associated with the external fixation technique. We also wanted to determine whether it is a reliable construct for limb lengthening and deformity correction in the femur. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a matched-pair comparison of 30 femoral lengthenings, 15 with a motorized intramedullary ...

Several surgical techniques are available for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The use of a uniplanar external fixator is an option for the treatment of fractures classified as Sanders types 2 and 3. Satisfactory reduction and stabilisation of the fracture are achieved by means of mini-incisions and fixator adjustment. The advantages of this technique include less soft-tiss...

Current work reports the design and evaluation of circular rings for Ilizarov external fixator system. A radiolucent composite material of knitted aramid fibre (and short chopped carbon) and epoxy resin is used to replace stainless steel, currently the most commonly used material. The use of a radiolucent composite material permits easier and more accurate radiographic evaluation of the healing...