OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of short arm deformity in patients with achondroplasia, and summarize the progress of its lenthening and reconstruction, so as to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: The literature on the lenthening of upper limb with achondroplastic short arm deformity at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed, and the characteristics, extension methods, postoperative management, effectiveness evaluation, and related complications of short arm deformity were summarized. RESULTS: Achondroplastic short arm deformity affect the patient's daily perineal hygiene activities. Although the upper limb is proportionately shortened, the humerus is mainly short limb deformity. Bilateral humeral lengthening is a common treatment method, and the traditional lengthening tools are mainly external fixation, guided by Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis concept; intramedullary lengthening is the latest treatment method. Lengthening percentage and healing index are commonly used for clinical evaluation indexes, and complications such as nerve injury may occur during upper limb lengthening. CONCLUSION In addition to appearance improvement, achondroplastic short arm lengthening is of great significance in achieving self-management of individual perineal hygiene. Lenthening and reconstruction methods are constantly being innovated and improved.
Humans ; Achondroplasia/surgery* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods* ; Bone Lengthening/methods* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Humerus/abnormalities* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ilizarov Technique ; Arm/abnormalities*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the corrective strategies and effectiveness of osteotomy surgery for severe lower limb deformities in hypophosphatemic rickets. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 29 patients with severe lower limb deformities of hypophosphatemic rickets who underwent surgical treatment between February 2012 and August 2024. There were 9 males and 20 females. The age ranged from 13 to 53 years, with an average of 24.6 years. All patients were deformities of both lower limbs, presenting as 24 cases of O-shaped legs, 2 cases of wind-blown deformities, and 3 cases of X-shaped legs. Based on the full-length films of both lower limbs in the standing position before operation, the osteotomy planes of the femur, tibia, and fibula were designed. Among them, if both the same-sided thigh and leg were deformed, staged surgeries of both lower limbs were selected. If only the thigh or leg were deformed, simultaneous surgeries of both lower limbs were selected. The femur deformity was corrected immediately after osteotomy at the deformed plane; the osteotomy fragment was temporarily controlled with an external fixator, which was removed after perform internal fixation with a steel plate. After fibular osteotomy, the Ilizarov frame or Taylor frame was installed on the tibia and fibula. The threaded rods were removed and then tibial osteotomy was performed on the deformed plane. Patients using the Taylor frame did not undergo deformity correction during operation. The external fixators were adjusted starting 7 days after operation to correct the varus, valgus, and rotational deformities of the lower limb. Patients using the Ilizarov frame corrected the rotational deformity of the tibia during operation. The external fixator was adjusted starting 7 days after operation to correct the varus and valgus deformities of the lower limb. During the treatment period, the patient could walk with partial weight-bearing on the operated limb with crutches. The external fixator was removed after the bone healed. Before operation and at last follow-up, the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA), anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA), anatomic lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), posterior distal femoral angle (PDFA), and mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lower limb rotation, limb length discrepancy (LLD) were measured. The self-made scoring criteria were adopted to evaluate the degree of lower limb deformity of the patients. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, and no complications such as nerve or vascular injury occurred. The adjustment time of the external fixator of the lower limb after operation was 28-46 days, with an average of 37.4 days. The wearing time of the external fixator ranged from 134 to 398 days, with an average of 181.5 days. Mild pin tract infections occurred in 2 limbs. The osteofascial compartment syndrome occurred in 1 limb after operation. No complications related to orthopedic adjustment of the external fixator occurred in other patients. All patients were followed up 6-56 months, with an average of 28.2 months. At last follow-up, full-length films of both lower limbs in the standing position showed that the coronal mechanical axes of the lower limbs of all patients returned to the normal. At last follow-up, MPTA, LDTA, PPTA, aLDFA, PDFA, MAD, lower limb rotation, LLD, and the score of lower limb deformity significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ADTA between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05). The degree of lower limb deformity were rated as moderate in 2 cases and poor in 27 cases before operation and as excellent in 7 cases, good in 18 cases, and moderate in 4 cases at last follow-up, with an excellent and good rate of 86.2%. CONCLUSION For severe lower limb deformities in hypophosphatemic rickets, immediate correction of deformities with femoral osteotomy and internal plate fixation, as well as gradually correction of deformities with tibiofibular osteotomy and circular external fixation (Ilizarov frame or Taylor frame), have satisfactory therapeutic effects.
Humans ; Male ; Osteotomy/instrumentation* ; Female ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia/abnormalities* ; Adolescent ; Femur/abnormalities* ; Middle Aged ; Fibula/surgery* ; Rickets, Hypophosphatemic/complications* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; External Fixators ; Bone Plates ; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital/etiology*

External fixation devices are essential tools in the field of foot and ankle reconstruction. Mastering the fundamental knowledge and skills of external fixation is crucial for the effective application of this technique. Currently, domestically produced external fixation systems for the foot and ankle can meet the needs of treating various foot and ankle traumas, deformities, and functional reconstruction. Through this special issue on "External fixation and foot and ankle reconstruction", we provide a detailed introduction to the essential knowledge and skills that physicians must acquire to proficiently manage external fixation and foot and ankle reconstruction.
Humans ; External Fixators ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Foot/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress on correction of severe foot and ankle deformities with digital hexapod external fixators. METHODS: The relevant research literature on digital hexapod external fixators at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed and analyzed. Taking Taylor spatial frame (TSF) as a representative, this article elaborates on the research progress of this technology in the treatment of severe foot and ankle deformities from aspects such as device principle, technical characteristics, clinical application, complication management, and controversial perspectives, aiming to provide theoretical references for clinical application. RESULTS: The treatment of severe foot and ankle deformities is a complex challenge in orthopedics, often involving multiple plane alignment abnormalities, muscle weakness, soft tissue contractures, and joint dysfunction. The digital hexapod external fixators (such as TSF), based on the principle of six degrees of freedom motion and combined with computer-assisted technology, enables precise correction of multi-dimensional deformities. CONCLUSION The digital hexapod external fixators provides a minimally invasive and efficient option for the treatment of severe foot and ankle deformities, and shows significant advantages in the treatment of complex post-traumatic deformities, neuromuscular deformities, diabetes Charcot arthropathy, and other diseases.
Humans ; External Fixators ; Foot Deformities/surgery* ; Ankle Joint/abnormalities* ; Ankle/abnormalities* ; Equipment Design

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research and clinical application progress of foot lengthening surgery. METHODS: Relevant research literature on foot lengthening surgery in recent years at home and abroad was reviewed, and a summary was made from aspects such as the types of lengthening surgery, the types of foot diseases treated by clinical application, effectiveness, and complications. RESULTS: Bone defects and shortening deformities of the foot are relatively common clinically. As an innovative treatment method, foot lengthening surgery has gradually attracted attention, mainly including the Ilizarov technique and one-stage bone grafting lengthening surgery. The former promotes bone regeneration based on the tension-stress principle and is widely used in the treatment of calcaneal defects and congenital metatarsal brachymetatarsia, achieving good curative effects. However, there are also complications such as pin-tract infection, joint stiffness and contracture, non-union and delayed union of bone, re-fracture, and alignment deviation. The latter has a short treatment cycle, but the lengthening length is limited. Bone graft resorption and soft tissue complications are its main complications. CONCLUSION Foot lengthening surgery will develop towards the direction of personalization, intelligence, and precision. With the help of multi-center research, biological materials, and intelligent technologies, the effectiveness and safety will be further improved to better restore the function and appearance of the foot.
Humans ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Bone Lengthening/methods* ; Ilizarov Technique ; Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods* ; Foot Deformities/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Foot/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of QIN Sihe's surgical strategy combined with Ilizarov technique in treating foot and ankle deformities on the verge of amputation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 56 patients (62 feet) with foot and ankle deformities on the verge of amputation treated with QIN Sihe's surgical strategy and Ilizarov technique between May 2010 and December 2020. Among them, there were 39 males and 17 females. The age ranged from 8 to 62 years (median, 27.5 years). QIN Sihe's surgical strategy: subcutaneous release or open lengthening of contracted Achilles tendons, limited correction of bony deformities through multiple osteotomies during surgery, tendon transfer to balance the power of the foot and ankle, simultaneous percutaneous osteotomy and correction of tibial torsion deformity to restore the weight-bearing line of the lower extremity, and installation of Ilizarov foot and ankle distraction devices for slow distraction and correction of residual foot and ankle deformities. After removal of external fixation, individualized braces were used for protection during exercise and walking. For patients with bilateral deformities, staged surgeries were performed. The effectiveness was evaluated according to the QIN Sihe's Postoperative Evaluation Criteria for Lower Limb (Foot and Ankle) Deformity Correction and Functional Reconstruction at last follow-up. RESULTS: All patients achieved the preoperative expected orthopedic and functional reconstruction goals. The postoperative wearing time of external fixator was 3-7 months, with an average of 5.5 months. The incidence of pin tract infection during the treatment period was 6.5% (4/62). All patients were followed up 25-132 months (median, 42 months). All 56 patients successfully retained their limbs. At last follow-up, foot and ankle deformities were corrected, the weight-bearing line was basically restored, and plantigrade feet were restored. At last follow-up, according to QIN Sihe's Postoperative Evaluation Criteria for Lower Limb (Foot and Ankle) Deformity Correction and Functional Reconstruction, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 37 cases (39 feet), good in 18 cases (21 feet), and fair in 1 case (2 feet). The excellent and good rate was 96.8% (60/62). CONCLUSION The combination of QIN Sihe's surgical strategy and Ilizarov technique in treating foot and ankle deformities on verge of amputation is minimally invasive, safe, and the therapeutic effect is controllable. This combined approach has unique advantages in preserving limb function and restoring biomechanical balance.
Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Amputation, Surgical ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Ankle/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Foot Deformities/surgery* ; Tendon Transfer/methods* ; Achilles Tendon/surgery* ; Foot/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the methods of ankle hinge position design in the correction of clubfoot deformity by Ilizarov method, and to explore its application value in the prevention of ankle dislocation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted including 28 patients with rigid clubfoot deformity (34 feet) who met the selection criteria and admitted between September 2021 and December 2024. There were 19 males and 9 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range, 19-47 years). According to Dimeglio classification, there were 21 feet of degree Ⅲ and 13 feet of degree Ⅳ. The causes were traumatic sequelae in 9 cases, congenital foot deformity in 15 cases, spina bifida sequelae in 1 case, peripheral neuropathy in 1 case, and cerebral palsy sequelae in 2 cases. The malformation lasted from 6 to 46 years, with an average of 29.3 years. All patients were treated with Ilizarov circular external fixator, and the hinge position of ankle joint was planned according to the standard lateral X-ray film of foot and ankle and the principle of Ilizarov limb deformity correction center of rotation angulation (CORA) before operation. The 2008 International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) scoring system was used to evaluate the efficacy. RESULTS: The deformity of rigid clubfoot was completely corrected in all patients, and the patients could walk with plantar weight-bearing, and the ankle weight-bearing walking significantly improved when compared with that before operation. There was no complication such as ankle dislocation, talus impact or extrusion, local skin necrosis, needle tract infection, or numbness of extremities during the correction process. All patients were followed up 5-39 months, with an average of 18.1 months. At last follow-up, according to the ICFSG scoring system, 23 feet were excellent, 10 feet were good, and 1 foot was fair, and the excellent and good rate was 97%. CONCLUSION Designing the position of the ankle hinge according to the principle of CORA can effectively avoid ankle dislocation, talus impingement, tibiotalar joint extrusion, and other ankle adverse events in the process of correcting clubfoot deformity, which has good application value in clinical practice.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Clubfoot/diagnostic imaging* ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Ankle Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Joint Dislocations/prevention & control* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of applying a standardized rehabilitation process in correction of adult clubfoot with the Ilizarov technique. METHODS: Thirty-eight adult patients who underwent orthopedic treatment with Ilizarov technique for clubfoot between August 2022 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a study group and a control group with 19 cases in each group according to the different rehabilitation management processes and methods. The differences in baseline data such as gender, age, side, and preoperative Holden walking function grading between the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05). In both groups, most of the clubfoot deformities were surgically corrected first, and the residual deformities were corrected by dynamic slow retraction with Ilizarov ring-type external fixation frame. The study group adopted standardized rehabilitation process management mode, including preoperative lower limb muscle strength training, postoperative pain and swelling management, weight-bearing management, gait and lower limb stability training. The control group adopted the conventional postoperative rehabilitation management mode. The occurrence of complications was recorded, including pin tract infection, ankle stiffness and pain, and deformity recurrence. Holden walking function grading was used to evaluate the walking ability of the patients. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the QIN Sihe Deformity Correction Disability Repair and Functional Reconstruction Postoperative Efficacy Evaluation Scale. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by Likert score. RESULTS: Patients in both groups successfully completed surgery and rehabilitation and were followed up. The follow-up time ranged from 8 to 29 months, with a mean of 18.5 months. Among them, the follow-up time was (18.8±5.5) months in the study group and (18.2±5.7) months in the control group, and the difference between groups was not significant ( t=0.316, P=0.754). The postoperative incidences of pin tract infection, ankle stiffness and pain, and deformity recurrence in the study group were 10.53%, 5.26%, and 5.26%, respectively, and in the control group were 21.05%, 36.84%, and 15.79%, respectively. And the difference between groups in the incidence of ankle stiffness and pain was significant ( P=0.042). At last follow-up, both groups showed an improvement in Holden walking function grading compared to preoperative levels ( P<0.05), and the grading of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.006). According to the QIN Sihe Deformity Correction Disability Repair and Functional Reconstruction Postoperative Efficacy Evaluation Scale, the grade difference between groups was not significant ( P=0.089), and the excellent and good rates of clinical efficacy in study group and control group were 89.47% (17/19) and 73.68% (14/19), respectively. Patient satisfaction in study group was significantly better than that in control group ( P=0.036). CONCLUSION Standardized rehabilitation process can effectively promote the postoperative functional recovery of adult clubfoot treated with Ilizarov technique, reduce the risk of complications and improve effectiveness.
Humans ; Ilizarov Technique/rehabilitation* ; Clubfoot/rehabilitation* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Weight-Bearing ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of single Taylor external fixator combined with biplanar osteotomy on correction of tibial multiplanar deformities. METHODS: Between October 2016 and December 2021, 11 patients with tibial multiplanar deformities (20 sides) were treated with single Taylor external fixator and biplanar osteotomy. Of them, 4 were male and 7 were female; the average age ranged from 13 to 33 years (mean, 21.9 years). Diagnosis included rickets severe genu varum deformity (7 cases, 14 sides), rickets severe genu valgum deformity (2 cases, 4 sides), multiple osteochondromatosis calf deformity (1 case, 1 side), neurofibromatosis medial lower leg anterior arch deformity with short of leg (1 case, 1 side). After fibular osteotomy and tibial multiplanar osteotomy, a Taylor external fixator was installed. After operation, the deformities were corrected successively and fixed completely. The osteotomy healed, then the external fixator was removed. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the full-length X-ray films were taken. The leg-length discrepancy, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA), anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA), and tibial rotation angle were measured. The degree of lower limb deformity was scored with reference to a customized tibial mechanical axis scoring table. RESULTS: Osteotomy was successfully completed without neurovascular injury and other complications. The external fixator was adjusted for 28-46 days, with an average of 37 days, and the external fixator was worn for 136-292 days, with an average of 169 days. Mild needle infection during the fixation period occurred in 3 sides, refracture at the distal tibial osteotomy in 1 side after removing the external fixator, and nonunion of the distal fibular osteotomy in 1 side. All patients were followed up 369-397 days (mean, 375 days). At 12 months after operation, the lower limb discrepancy decreased, but there was no significant difference ( P>0.05). MPTA, LDTA, PPTA, ADTA, and tibial rotation angle improved, and the differences in LDTA, ADTA, and tibial rotation angle were significant ( P<0.05). The score of lower limb deformity was significantly higher than that before operation ( P<0.05), and the results were excellent in 9 sides, good in 8 sides, fair in 3 sides, with the excellent and good rate of 85%. CONCLUSION Single Taylor external fixator combined with biplanar osteotomy is effective in the correction of tibial multiplanar deformities.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Tibia/surgery* ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Rickets ; External Fixators ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and indications of arthrolysis plus Ilizarov technique in the treatment of traumatic fibrous stiffness of the knee.Methods:The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively of the 9 patients (10 knees) with traumatic fibrous stiffness who had been treated by arthrolysis plus Ilizarov technique from January 2012 to December 2020 at Department of Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation Hospital of National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technique Aids. There were 8 males and one female, aged from 15 to 42 years (average, 30.2 years). The left side was affected in 2 cases, the right side in 6 ones and bilateral sides in one. Their knee stiffness was all caused by injury around the knee. The time from injury to treatment ranged from 12 months to 38 years (average, 16.5 years). The admission examination revealed that the knee extension ranged from -40° to 0° and the knee flexion from -10° to 40°. Wearing time for the external fixator and incidence of complications were recorded; the ranges of knee motion were compared before and after treatment; the Qin Sihe criteria for postoperative limb deformity correction were used at the last follow-up to evaluate the curative efficacy.Results:The 9 patients were followed up for 20 to 78 months with an average of 35 months. The external fixators were worn for 14 to 200 days with an average of 78.4 days. During the traction period, pin tract reaction (3 holes) occurred in 2 patients with 3 knees, pin tract infection (2 holes) in 2 patients with 2 knees, the incision healed poorly in one patient, and no other complications occurred. The functional recovery of the knee was good at the last follow-up. The knee extension was 0°, insignificantly different from the preoperative value (-6.5°±12.9°) ( t=-1.591, P=0.146); the flexion angle was 70.0°±17.6°, significantly better than the preoperative value (15.0°±17.2°) ( t=-6.822, P< 0.001). According to the Qin Sihe postoperative criteria, the curative efficacy at the last follow-up was excellent in 7 knees and good in 3. Conclusion:In the treatment of traumatic fibrous stiffness of the knee, when the efficacy of simple arthrolysis is not good enough, a combination with Ilizarov technique can help improve the postoperative knee function and prevent severe complications.