Objective To compare the curative effects of Orthofix extended external fixator versus Ilizarov external fixator in the treatment of bone defects following post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis.Methods During the period from January,1996 through January,2015,129 patients were selected for a retrospective analysis.They were 106 males and 23 females,aged from 14 to 60 years (average,36.5 years).Orthofix extended external fixator was used in 43 of them and Ilizarov external fixator in 86.Bone transportation started 7 to 10 dlays after surgery at a speed of 1 mm/d and was completed in 4 turns.The 2 groups were compared in terms of mineralization time for the extended bone,hone lengthening length,fixation time,union indexes,Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS),knee range of motion (ROM) and complications.Results The patients were followed up for 13 to 216 months (average,96 months).Orthofix group and llizarov group were not significantly different in mineralization time for the extended bone,bone lengthening length,fixation time or union indexes (P ＞ 0.05).In Orthofix group and Ilizarov group respectively,there were 6 versus 73 patients with mildly limited self-living abilities and 37 versus 13 patients with little limited self-living abilities by ADL scores;there were 33 versus 16 cases of mild anxiety,8 versus 63 cases of moderate anxiety and 2 versus 7 cases of grave anxiety by SAS scores;there were 39 versus 10 cases of limited knee ROM of 15° to 30° and 4 versus 76 cases of limited knee ROM of 30° to 60°.There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the above indexes (P ＜ 0.05).The rate of complications in Orthofix treatment group(79.1％,34/43) was significantly lower than in Ilizarov group (88.4％,76/86) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of bone defects following post-traumatic tibial osteomyelitis,the curative effects of Orthofix extended external fixator are similar to those of Ilizarov external fixator.However,they may have different effects on the life and psychology of the patients in the long run.Therefore,specific therapeutic scheme should be decided in consideration of the advantages of the 2 treatments as well as the conditions of specific patients.

Objective To explore the possibility of reduce the treatment cycle of post-traumatic osteomyelitis patients treat with bone transportations. Methods In February, 2017, a patient was diagnosis as left tibial os-teomyelitis with soft tissue defects and treated. Before start trifocal bone transportation with Orthofix external fixator, we did preoperative practice with computer and model. Except this case we also had some article review in this report. Results This case not only finished 12.5 cm bone transportation in 45 days but also treated soft tissue defect before bone transportations. In this method we save almost 2/3 time to compare with monofocal bone transportations, and frame time were also faster than previous method. But because of some mishaps when we follow-up, the gap was occurred in docking side after 140 days follow-up that may need bone transplants. After 140 days of operation, the gap was disap-peared. Conclusion A new type bone transportations in this study and it may reduce treatment time of osteomyelitis.