Outcome of Two Ring Hybrid Ilizarov Fixator in the Management of Proximal Tibial Fractures in Adults

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the outcomes of using two ring hybrid ilizarov fixator for the management of proximal tibial fractures in adult patients. Study Design: Descriptive Study Place and Duration: Methods: There were 60 patients of both genders were presented in this study. Patients were aged between 25-65 years. Informed written consent was taken from all the patients for detailed demographics age, sex, body mass index and cause of fracture. All the patients had proximal tibial fractures were included, type of fractures were assessed by schatzker technique. Outcomes were assessed by using Rasmussen score in terms of excellent, good and fair. Radiological outcome was measured by fracture healing on radiography. Student t-test and chi square test was used. SPSS 24.0 was used to analyze all of the data. Results: There were 45 (75%) patients were males and 15 (25%) were female patients. Mean age of the patients was 42.3±7.43 years with mean BMI 25.07±6.29 kg/m2. Falling was the most common cause of fracture found in 33 (55%), followed by road traffic accidents in 17 (28.3%) and 10 (16.7%) fractures by assault. Majority of the patients were schatzker type VI fractures 34 (56.7%) followed by schatzker type V fractures in 11 (18.3%), metaphyseal fractures found in 8 (13.3%) cases and proximalone third shaft fractures in 7 (11.7%) cases. Mean surgery time was 4.2±6.17 hours and mean union time of fractures was 19.8±6.61 weeks. According to Rasmussen score 39 (65%) cases showed excellent results with knee flexion more than 90 degree, good results found in 17 (28.3%) patients and fair results in 4 (6.7%) cases. Pin tract infection was the most common complication found in 12 (20%) cases, followed by compartment syndrome in 4 (6.7%) and delayed union in 3 (5%). No any poor outcome was assessed in this study. Conclusion: We concluded in this study that the use of two ring hybrid ilizarov fixator in the management of proximal tibial fractures were effective and useful in terms of excellent and good outcomes of knee flexion. The ilizarov approach allowed for early definitive treatment with a low rate of complications and a favourable clinical outcome. Keywords: Proximal Tibial fracture, Ilizarov Fixator, Shatzker, Rasmussen score, Outcomes

Outcomes of Ilizarov Ring Fixator in Infected Nonunion of Tibia

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov. We aimed to explore the infection rate, bony union, and functional outcomes of Ilizarov fixators. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in Orthopedic department of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2021. In this timeframe total of fifty-five patients of infected nonunion tibia were enrolled for Ilizarov technique treatment. For surgical intervention, patients were placed in a supine position on a radiolucent table. Ilizarov fixator was prepared on the behalf of patient's limb length, infection site, and ankle and knee functional status. We applied assembled Ilizarov fixator at the tibial shaft while keeping in mind that the rings were positioned in on the proximal and distal fragments. The ring was placed parallel to the joints whereas pins were inserted perpendicular to the tibial mechanical axis. Results: A total of 55 patients were recruited for this study. The mean age of the selected participants was 45.65±16.69 years. The overall successful bone results of the ASAMI score were observed as 80% whereas 88% functional outcomes were achieved. In bone results, we observed 28 (50.9%) cases with excellent results, 16 (29%) with good, 7 (12.7%) with fair, and 3 (5.4%) with poor outcomes. On the other hand, 25 (45.4%) cases observed excellent functional results, 25 (45.4%) with good, 4 (7.6%) with fair, and 2 (3.6%) with poor outcomes. Conclusion: Our results show a high success ratio therefore we recommend Ilizarov external fixators for infected nonunion tibial fracture. This method helps to recover limbs without any amputations. However, the discomfort of patients is one of the main problems with this method of treatment.

Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Complex Proximal Tibia Fractures Managed with Hybrid/Ilizarov Fixator with or without Minimal Internal Fixation

Background. Complex high grade proximal tibia fractures with associated extensive soft tissue injury pose a management challenge. The timing of surgery and fracture fixation options depend upon the extent of soft tissue damage. Post-operative complications such as wound breakdown, infection and infected non-union are common in such cases managed early with open reduction and internal fixation. Such fractures can be treated with primary closed reduction and Ilizarov/hybrid fixator application. Materials and methods. It is a retrospective cross sectional study conducted at two tertiary care multispecialty hospitals to report the mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of complex high grade proximal tibia fractures. These injuries were managed by closed reduction and external fixation with/without minimal internal fixation as a definitive procedure and outcome measures were checked with serial radiographs and functional scores at a regular interval of follow up. 17 patients with Schatzker’s type 5 or 6 proximal tibia fractures with soft tissue compromise were operated on at two tertiary care referral centres from 2017 to 2019. These cases were operated on by two experienced trauma surgeons. Periodic follow-up was done and radiological and functional progression noted from case records. Results. Average time to union was noted to be 12.59 weeks and mean time of fixator removal was 21.4 weeks. At the end of 1 year of follow-up, average range of motion was 121.76 degrees, average WOMAC score was 74.81(63-82) and KOOS score was 78.24(63-85). Conclusions. 1. Hybrid/Ilizarov fixator method is a safe way of fixing high energy proximal tibia fractures. It is associated with a good functional outcome, less soft tissue complications and allows early weight bearing. 2. We recommend this method of treatment for complex high grade proximal tibia fractures.

Neglected сlubfoot treated by Ilizarov and Ponseti methods

The Ponseti method has revolutionized clubfoot treatment. Though completely neglected clubfeet are now rare, partially or incompletely and improperly treated feet are not uncommon. Relapses after successful correction may occur due to non-compliance with bracing. In scarred soft tissues due to previous surgery, soft tissue distraction using external fixation helps achieve correction. The Ilizarov fixator permits us to follow the Ponseti protocol, using correction methods that may either be constrained or unconstrained by hinges. Applying force vectors perpendicular to the moment arm allows us to correct the еquinus without damaging the ankle joint. All of the above is possible when the talus is round. Full correction of the deformity is possible. However, longterm follow-up of these patients has revealed stiffness of the ankle setting and frequently with tibio-talar osteophytes anteriorly. They are probably a reaction to excessive pressure developed in the joint due to the tight soft tissues. Hence the author has now added a mild shortening of the tibia and fibula to reduce soft tissue tension, rather than resorting to further soft tissue releases through scarred tissues. This allows faster correction with the Ponseti-Ilizarov protocol and allows good ankle range of motion to persist.

Malunited and malrotated Salter-Harris type I fracture of distal femur managed with circular ring external Ilizarov fixator

A 9-year-old girl presented with malunited Salter-Harris type I fracture of distal femur treated by bone-setter (unreliable-practitioner). Assessment revealed 3 cm limb-length-discrepancy and affected leg was unable to bear weight, knee was stiff with no active-range of motion; radiographs showed displaced sagittally malunited femoral condyle with 163° posterior distal femoral angle (PDFA). Correction planned with circular-ring-external Ilizarov fixator using distraction-osteogenesis through supracondylar osteotomy and gradual anterior opening. Partial weight bearing allowed from first postoperative day on walker. Eight weeks follow-up showed restored anatomical position of femoral condyle and PDFA. During anterior-distraction and angulation correction, tibia subluxated posteriorly, for that assembly extended to tibia which gradually translated tibia anteriorly and reduced knee. Twenty weeks after removal of assembly patient was advised knee-ankle-foot-orthosis. At 40 weeks of frame removal, patient was walking without support and pain. Managing such rare injuries with distraction-osteogenesis technique allows gradual correction and monitoring, till desirable degree of correction is achieved.