scholarly journals Risk factors of ankle osteoarthritis in the treatment of critical bone defects using ilizarov technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Liu ◽  
Feiyu Cai ◽  
Yanshi Liu ◽  
Alimujiang Abulaiti ◽  
Peng Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov external circular fixator has been applied in lower limb reconstructive surgery widely. The increasing ankle osteoarthritis (OA) progression and severity are often associated with the period of external fixator and the greater relative instability of the ankle joint, but few studies have quantified risk factors directly during this technique. Methods The study was conducted on 236 patients who underwent bone transport surgery for tibias using the Ilizarov external circular fixator from 2008 to 2018. The cumulative incidence of ankle OA diagnoses in patients after the Ilizarov technique treatment was calculated and stratified by risk factors from preoperative and postoperative management. After the data were significant through the Mann-Whitney U test analyzed, odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression to describe factors associated with the OA diagnosis including gender, age, BMI, location of bone defect, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, the history of metal allergy and glucocorticoid intake, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-HF scale scores, defect size (DS), the type of bone transport, the bone union time, external fixator time (EFT), and external fixator index (EFI). Results There were 199 males and 37 females with a mean age of 47 years (range 28–59 years). Out of 236 patients, 49 had an additional treatment for ankle OA after the Ilizarov technique treatment of bone defects (average follow-up time 2.1 years, range 1.6–4.2 years). The incidence of postoperative ankle OA was 20.8 %, with 19 patients classified as K&L grade 3 and seven patients as grade 4. The top five risk factors included double-level bone transport (OR3.79, P = 0.005), EFI > 50days/cm (OR3.17, P = 0.015), age > 45years (OR2.29, P = 0.032), osteoporosis (OR1.58, P < 0.001), BMI > 25 (OR1.34, P < 0.001). Male, BMI > 25, diabetes, osteoporosis, and AOFAS ankle-HF scale scores are the independent risk factors. Conclusions Ilizarov external circular fixator is a safe and effective method of treatment for critical bone defects. The double level bone transport, EFI > 50days/cm, age > 45years, osteoporosis, BMI > 25 are the top five relevant risk factors of ankle OA. The probability of developing ankle OA among patients having three or more risk factors is 50–70 %.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Liu ◽  
Yanshi Liu ◽  
Feiyu Cai ◽  
Chenchen Fan ◽  
Alimujiang Abulaiti ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to observe the efficacy of bone transport using Orthofix external fixator in the treatment of lower limb bone defects caused by infection, and analyze the mechanism and risk factors of transport gap bending deformity (TGBD).Methods: From January 2008 to December 2019, 326 cases of infected bone defects of the lower extremities were treated by bone transport in our medical institution. The location and other relevant information of TGBD were collected, summarized, and analyzed. The Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) standard was applied to assess the bone and functional outcomes. Results: A total of 326 patients have reconstructed the bone defects in the lower extremities successfully, with a mean size of 6.2 centimeters (3.4 - 9.1 cm). TGBD was observed in 42 patients (12.8%) after removing the external fixator, including 32 tibias and 10 femurs, after a mean follow-up of 28.6 months (22 – 47 months). Age>45years, BMI>25kg/m2, defect of the tibia, diabetes, osteoporosis, glucocorticoid intake, duration of bone infection>24months, EFT>9months, EFI>1.8months/cm were associated significantly with a higher incidence of TGBD in the binary logistic regression analysis. The independent risk factors associated with TGBD included age>45 years, BMI>25 kg/m2, defect of tibia, diabetes, osteoporosis. Conclusions: The bone transport using the Orthofix external fixator is a safe and practical method in the treatment of lower limb bone defects caused by infection. The incidence of TGBD was 12.8%, and the top five risk factors included defect of tibia, BMI>25kg/m2, duration of bone infection>24 months, age>45years, and diabetes. Age>45years, BMI>25kg/m2, defect of tibia, osteoporosis, diabetes were the independent risk factors. The higher incidence of TGBD may be associated with more risk factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanshi Liu ◽  
Maimaiaili Yushan ◽  
Zhenhui Liu ◽  
Jialin Liu ◽  
Chuang Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Ilizarov segmental bone transport technique can be applied in the reconstruction of the bone defects with less invasive fashion and more versatility compared to other methods, while most studies were focused on the lower extremity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Ilizarov segmental bone transport technique in the treatment of diaphyseal forearm bone defects caused by infection. Methods This study included 12 patients with diaphyseal forearm bone defects caused by infection, who underwent bone transport procedures using the monolateral external fixator at our institution from January 2010 to January 2018, including 10 males and 2 females with a mean age of 39 years (range 23–57 years). Patient’s demographic data and clinical outcomes at least two years follow-up after removing the external fixator were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The functional results were evaluated by the questionnaire of Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the modified Mayo wrist score (MWS) at the final follow-up. Results There were 10 radii and 2 ulnae bone transport procedures collected. The average defect size was 5.1 cm (4-6.5 cm). All patients were successfully followed up with a mean period of 28.2 months (24 to 36 months) and achieved infection-free union. There was no recurrence of infection observed. The mean external fixation time was 232.6 days (182 to 276 days), and the mean external fixation index was 46.3 days/cm (40.9 to 61.8 days/cm). The mean DASH score was 30.6(18 to 49) preoperative, while 13.8 (5 to 26) at the final follow-up. The average modified MWS improved from 68.8 (55 to 80) pre-operatively to 83.8 (65 to 90) at the final follow-up. All the differences between the preoperative and final scores were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Almost all the patients achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes and were able to perform activities of daily living. Conclusions Ilizarov segmental bone transport technique is an alternative and effective method for the treatment of diaphyseal forearm bone defects caused by infection, and this method acquired satisfactory clinical outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Peng ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
Qi Tian ◽  
Maimaitiaili Tusunniyazi ◽  
Weiqi Kong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of single-level bone transport in the treatment of femoral bone defects after radical debridement, which were caused by infections.Methods: Clinical and radiographic data of patients with infected femoral nonunion treated with a unilateral external fixator (Orthofix limb reconstruction system, LRS) at our hospital from 2010 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) standard was applied to assess the bone and functional outcomes and postoperative complications evaluated by Paley classification. Results: Seventy-six cases of infected femoral bone defects (31 proximal, 19 intermediate, and 26 distal) were managed by single-level bone transport using a unilateral external fixator with a mean follow-up time of 30.8 (23 to 41) months. There were 58 men (76.3%) and 18 women (23.6%), with a mean age of 38.8 years (range, 23 – 60 years). The bone union was achieved in 76 cases with a mean time of 6.9 months (range, 5-8 months). Complications included 29 cases (38.1%) of pin tract infection, 7 cases (9.2%) of muscle contractures, 3 cases (7.9%) of joint stiffness, 13 cases (17.1%) of axial deviation, 2 cases (2.6%) of delayed union, one case (1.3%) of nonunion, and none (0%) of transport gap re-fracture. One patient (1.3%) was scheduled for knee arthroplasty when bone transport treatment ended.Conclusions: Bone transport in the reconstruction of femoral bone defects using unilateral external rail fixator had a satisfactory rate of bone healing and limb function recovery. Complications of distal femoral bone transport were more severe than other sites, but the complication rate was the least of the three. Complications of the proximal were comparable to the intermediate, and soft-tissue-related complications were more likely to occur in the intermediate transport.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjie Wen ◽  
Huagang Yang ◽  
Yongqing Xu

Abstract Background Bone transport is used for the treatment of extensive limb bone defects. The application of ring or unilateral external fixators combined with single or double corticotomy are well documented; however, there are few cases adopting a single corticotomy to repair bone defects > 24 cm. Case presentation The present case study describes an 18-year-old male, who was involved in a traffic accident and was diagnosed with open fracture of the right tibia. The patient received emergency surgery in a local hospital and was transferred to The Second People’s Hospital of Yunnan for further treatment 3 months later. The patient was diagnosed with fracture nonunion and infection following admission. Complete debridement was performed three times to control the infection. The infection was resolved after 26 days and the 24.5 cm massive tibia defect remained the biggest challenge. The bone transport technique involving a unilateral external fixator and single corticotomy was employed to treat the bone defect. Docking site union was achieved and bone consolidation was complete 40 months after corticotomy. The external fixator was subsequently removed. The bone healing index was 1.6 months/cm. The Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov criteria (ASAMI) revealed a good functional and bone repair result. Similarly, Knee Society Score (KSS) yielded good result and the The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) was 65. A total of 45 months after injury, the patient was able to walk painlessly without ambulatory assistive devices and resumed daily activities successfully. Eighteen months after the bone and soft tissue wound have healed, the SF-36 score was 86, and the LEFS was 70. Conclusion To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study described the longest bone defect repair performed using bone transport with single level corticotomy.


2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyeong-Hyeon Park ◽  
Chang-Wug Oh ◽  
Joon-Woo Kim ◽  
Jong-Keon Oh ◽  
Yong-Cheol Yoon ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 0-0 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Bisaccia ◽  
Giuseppe Rinonapoli ◽  
Luigi Meccariello ◽  
Auro Caraffa ◽  
Bartosz Cukierman ◽  
...  

Background. Bone defects represent the main challenging problem for the orthopedic surgeon and, consequently, they increase the duration of hospitalization, risk of complications and health expenditures. The aim of our observational, descriptive and retrospective study is to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with a mo­nolateral external fixator for bone defects greater than 3 cm. Material and methods. Between January 2003 and January 2013, 21 patients were treated at our center by bone transfer with a monolateral external fixator. The main etiologies were trauma in 17 cases (80.9%) and tumors in 4 cases (19.1%). Mean follow-up was 5 years for non-union and 3 years for tumors. Our clinical evaluation was based on ASAMI (Association for the Study ad Application of the Methods of Ilizarov) scores during this follow-up period. Results. The functional outcomes, based on ASAMI scores, were excellent in 12 cases, good in 7 and poor in 2. Conclusion. 1. A review of the literature related to our experience shows that bone transport is an effective tech­nique to repair loss of bone in the lower limbs. The use of a system of external fixation enables corrective actions throughout the treatment that can be in­dividualized on a case-by-case basis. In our experience, the LRS fixator (Orthofix) is a sta­ble, easy-to-use and very handy device. 2. In situations where soft tissue reconstruction procedures are needed, the size and shape of the splint should be such as not to constitute an obstacle. Fur­thermore, the use of pins rather than transfixation wires eliminates the risk of neuro / vascu­lar injury such as may occur during the application of a circular fixator. 3. The analysis of the cases presented here indicates that where possible the technique of bone transport produces good results and can often salvage the limb. Amputation should be reserved only for cases where the general and / or local preoperative status indicate that the surgeon can expect a poor result or when the compliance of the patient is determined to be inadequate.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Liu ◽  
Alimujiang Abulaiti ◽  
Yanshi Liu ◽  
Feiyu Cai ◽  
Peng Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The bone transport using the unilateral external fixator, one of the Ilizarov techniques, is widely practiced in lower limb reconstructive surgery. Pin tract infection (PTI), one of most common complication, has become the important postoperative problems which plague clinicians gradually. Methods A group of 130 patients who received bone transport surgery for tibia or femur defects using the unilateral external fixation (Orthofix limb reconstruction system, Verona, Italy) and met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study from 2015 to 2019. Regular pin tract care was performed twice a day, and the conditions of the pin tract were evaluated by the same observer using clinical appearance criteria. The Saw’s classification of PTI was used to assess the condition around screws. After the data were significant by the T-test or Pearson’s Chi-square test analyzed, odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression tests to describe factors associated with the diagnosis of PTI. Results Ninety-one males and thirty-nine females with a mean age of 43 years (range 28–58 years) were included in this cohort. 7816 observations were documented from 12 to 36 months, and 58 cases (44.6%) of PTI (thirty-nine cases in grade 1, 17 cases in grade 2, and 2 cases in grade 3). The top five risk factors were agricultural work (OR 1.86, CI 0.94–2.39), non-urban living (OR 1.75, CI 1.24–3.26), male (OR 1.71, CI 1.02–2.31), smoking (OR 1.53, CI 0.76–1.89), and diabetes (OR 1.26, CI 1.12–2.64). No long-term sequelae were observed at the latest clinical visit. Conclusion Occupation, gender, living environment (non-urban), smoking, and diabetes were the top five significant risk factors for PTI in the period of bone transport using unilateral external fixation. Awareness of predictable risk factors of PTI is beneficial to avoid or early detect the severe complications which can affect the effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Liu ◽  
Yanshi Liu ◽  
Feiyu Cai ◽  
Chenchen Fan ◽  
Peng Ren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with critical femoral and tibial bone defects treated by trifocal bone transport using the Ilizarov method.Methods: In a retrospective comparative study, 39 patients treated for lower limb bone non-union with bone loss measuring between 6 and 14 cm were included. Depending on the location of bone transport, the patients were divided into the femur group (n =18) and tibia groups (n =21). The demographics data, intraoperative records, and postoperative outcomes were documented and compared between the two groups. At the last follow-up, the bone and functional outcomes were evaluated according to the criterion given by the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of the Ilizarov (ASAMI) and postoperative complications evaluated by Paley classification.Results: The average follow-up time was 26.1 months (range 17–34 months) since the unilateral external fixators were removed. The mean size of the bone defect was 8.3 cm in the femur group, and 7.5 cm in the tibia group. All bone defects were reconstructed successfully. The mean time in external fixation in the femur group was 334.4 days, and in the tibia group was 344.6 days. The external fixation index (EFI) measured 55.9 days/cm in the femur group and 65 days/cm in the tibia group. A statistically significant difference of bone grade was found between the two groups (excellent/good/fair/poor, 3/11/3/1 vs 2/13/4/2, P<0.05), as well as the function grade in two groups (excellent/good/fair/poor/failure, 3/14/1/0 vs 4/13/3/1, P<0.05). According to the ASAMI classification, the clinical and functional results in the femur group were better than in the tibia group. The complication rate of the two groups was 94.4% vs 76.2% (femur vs tibia). One femur and five tibias were performed additional surgery because of delayed union and axial deviation. Conclusions: The trifocal bone transport using the unilateral external fixator is a reliable treatment in the management of post-traumatic and post-infection lower limb bone defects (>6cm). In the comparison of the tibia, the trifocal bone transport treatment period of the femur was shorter, the functional recovery was better and the risk of minor complications was higher.


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