OBJECTIVE To compare the biomechanical stability of extraarticular proximal tibia fractures reconstructed using a double-plate construct, locking plate system, hybrid external fixator, and single lateral periarticular plate, all from the same manufacturer. DESIGN Standardized proximal tibial fractures (AO classification 41-A3.2 and A3.3) in synthetic tibiae were stabilized using one of the fo...

OBJECTIVES the purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes with minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis using three implants: volar locking plate, intramedullary nail system and nonbridging external fixator for distal radius fractures. METHODS forty-eight patients (A group, 16; B group 16; C group 16) underwent minimally invasive percutaneo...

Very little is known about the influence of the mechanical environment on the healing of large segmental defects. This partly reflects the lack of standardised, well characterised technologies to enable such studies. Here we report the design, construction and characterisation of a novel external fixator for use in conjunction with rat femoral defects. This device not only imposes a predetermin...

The Ortho-SUV frame (OSF) is a novel hexapod circular external fixator which draws upon the innovation of the Ilizarov method and the advantages of hexapod construction in the three-dimensional control of bone segments. Stability of fixation is critical to the success or failure of an external circular fixator for fracture or osteotomy healing. In vitro biomechanical modelling study was perform...

This study discusses the results of a histological examination of bone calluses in the treatment of tibia fractures in sheep with the involvement of a semi-circular fixator. In all sheep, callus samples revealed the presence of well-developed, compact bone tissue in the area of fracture healing. It was found that the use of a semi-circular fixator promoted bone growth, and that it is an effecti...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the clinical results of treatment for unstable posterior pelvic fractures using a pedicle screw-rod fixator compared to use of a locking compression plate. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed between June 2010 and May 2014 and the data were collected from 46 patients with unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures. All patients w...

Distal tibial hypertrophic nonunion with angular deformity has been successfully treated by circular external fixator. The inconvenience of the bulky external fixator and frequent pin tract infection would not be accepted in certain cases. This study included thirteen patients (mean age 39 years) with angular deformity of the distal dia-/metaphyseal tibial shaft. Five patients were originally t...

This is a report of the experience we have gathered in the application of the pinless fixator in cases of tibial fracture with soft tissue damage. In the Berufsgenossenschaftlichen Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen (Clinic for Trauma Surgery) 12 diaphyseal fractures of the tibia were stabilized with the pinless fixator in 1991. In all cases, conversion to an intramedullary nail was intended from the ve...

The treatment of elbow stiffness remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. A hinged external fixator with distraction ability has recently emerged as a new option in the surgical treatment of elbow stiffness. Between January 2007 and December 2009, twenty-five posttraumatic stiff elbows (mean patient age, 29.2 years) received distraction arthrolysis from 1 surgeon group (W.J.W., L.H., P.Z.J....

BACKGROUND Long-term application of an external fixator to treat leg-length discrepancy and short stature often causes complications, such as pin-tract infection or loss of range of motion at the knee or ankle (or both). Prolonged fixator use also interferes with the activities of daily living. To minimize such problems, we have combined intramedullary nailing with external fixation. Using this...