Fixator-assisted nailing and consecutive lengthening over an intramedullary nail for the correction of tibial deformity
- 1 January 2010
- journal article
- Published by British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume
- Vol. 92-B (1), 146-152
- https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620x.92b1.22637
Abstract
We report the results of using a combination of fixator-assisted nailing with lengthening over an intramedullary nail in patients with tibial deformity and shortening. Between 1997 and 2007, 13 tibiae in nine patients with a mean age of 25.4 years (17 to 34) were treated with a unilateral external fixator for acute correction of deformity, followed by lengthening over an intramedullary nail with a circular external fixator applied at the same operating session. At the end of the distraction period locking screws were inserted through the intramedullary nail and the external fixator was removed. The mean amount of lengthening was 5.9 cm (2 to 8). The mean time of external fixation was 90 days (38 to 265). The mean external fixation index was 15.8 days/cm (8.9 to 33.1) and the mean bone healing index was 38 days/cm (30 to 60). One patient developed an equinus deformity which responded to stretching and bracing. Another developed a drop foot due to a compartment syndrome, which was treated by fasciotomy. It recovered in three months. Two patients required bone grafting for poor callus formation. We conclude that the combination of fixator-assisted nailing with lengthening over an intramedullary nail can reduce the overall external fixation time and prevent fractures and deformity of the regenerated bone.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Limb Lengthening and Then Insertion of an Intramedullary Nail: A Case-matched ComparisonClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 2008
- Tibial lengthening over an intramedullary nailJournal of Orthopaedic Science, 2005
- A correction of windswept deformity by fixator assisted nailingThe Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British volume, 2004
- Spread of infection, in an animal model, after intramedullary nailing of an infected external fixator pin trackJournal of Orthopaedic Research, 2001
- Lengthening of the tibia over an intramedullary nail, using the llizarov external fixator: Major complications and slow consolidation in 9 lengtheningsActa Orthopaedica, 1999
- Tibial Lengthening Over Nails (LON)Techniques in Orthopaedics, 1997
- Fixator-Assisted Nailing of Femoral and Tibial DeformitiesTechniques in Orthopaedics, 1997
- Mechanical Axis Deviation of the Lower LimbsClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1992
- Mechanical Axis Deviation of the Lower LimbsClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1992
- Problems, Obstacles, and Complications of Limb Lengthening by the Ilizarov TechniqueClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1990