OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical application value and progress of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of foot and ankle trauma. METHODS: The related literature of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of foot and ankle trauma was extensively reviewed, and the fundamental principles of Ilizarov technique and its clinical application in the treatment of complex foot and ankle trauma such as Pilon fractures, lateral malleolus defects, calcaneal fractures, and talus fractures were reviewed, and its efficacy and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The Ilizarov technique demonstrates significant advantages in treating open fractures, bone defects, and cases with poor soft tissue conditions, achieving high rates of bone defect repair, effective infection control, and improved functional scores. However, complications such as pin tract infections remain notable. CONCLUSION The Ilizarov technique is an effective approach for managing complex foot and ankle trauma, particularly in high-risk cases. Its dynamic fixation mechanism combines mechanical stability with biological repair. Future advancements should focus on integrating three-dimensional printing and smart sensor technologies to enhance precision.
Humans ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation* ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Ankle Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of using the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) based on the Ilizarov tension-stress principle for treatment of post-burn foot and ankle deformities in adults. METHODS: A clinical data of 6 patients with post-burn foot and ankle deformities treated between April 2019 and November 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There was 1 male and 5 females with an average age of 28.7 years (range, 20-49 years). There were 3 cases of simple ankle equinus, 2 cases of ankle equinus, midfoot rocker-bottom foot, and forefoot pronation, and 1 case of calcaneus foot and forefoot pronation. Preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 45.3±18.2, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)-Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was 34.3±7.3 and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 50.4±8.8. Imaging examination showed tibial-calcaneal angle of (79.8±31.5)°, calcaneus-first metatarsal angle of (154.5±45.3)°, talus-first metatarsal angle of (-19.3±35.0)°. Except for 1 case with severe deformity that could not be measured, the remaining 5 cases had talus-second metatarsal angle of (40.6±16.4)°. The deformities were fixed with TSF after soft tissue release and osteotomy. Then, the residual deformities were gradually corrected according to software-calculated prescriptions. TSF was removed after maximum deformity correction and osteotomy healing. External fixation time, brace wearing time after removing the TSF, and pin tract infection occurrence were recorded. Infection severity was evaluated based on Checketts-Otterburns grading. Joint function was evaluated using AOFAS score and SF-12 PCS and MCS scores. Patient satisfaction was assessed using Likert score. Imaging follow-up measured relevant indicators to evaluate the degree of deformity correction. Deformity recurrence was observed during follow-up. RESULTS: The external fixation time was 103-268 days (mean, 193.5 days). The mild pin tract infections occurred during external fixation in all patients, which healed after pin tract care and oral antibiotics. No serious complication such as osteomyelitis, fractures, neurovascular injury, or skin necrosis occurred. After external fixation removal, 3 cases did not wear braces, while the remaining 3 cases wore braces continuously for 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 years, respectively. All patients were followed up 13.9-70.0 months, with an average of 41.7 months. During follow-up, none of the 6 patients had recurrence of foot deformity. At 1 year after operation, the AOFAS score was 70.0±18.1, SF-12-PCS and MCS scores were 48.9±4.5 and 58.8±6.4, respectively, all showing significant improvement compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). Imaging follow-up showed that all osteotomies healed, and all distraction cases achieved bony union at 6 months after stopping stretching. At 1 year after operation, tibial-calcaneal angle was (117.5±12.8)° and talus-first metatarsal angle was (-3.3±19.3)°, both showing significant improvement compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). Calcaneus-first metatarsal angle was (132.0±14.4)°, which also improved compared to preoperative values but without significant difference ( P>0.05). Except for 1 case with severe deformity that could not be measured, the remaining 5 cases had talus-second metatarsal angle of (18.0±6.4)°. And there was no significant difference ( P>0.05) between pre-and post-operative data of 4 patients with complete data. At 1 year after operation, 1 patient was satisfied with effectiveness and 5 patients were very satisfied. CONCLUSION The TSF, by applying the Ilizarov tension-stress principle for gradual distraction and multi-planar adjustment, combined with soft tissue release and osteotomy, can effectively correct foot and ankle deformities after burns, especially equinus deformity with contracture of the posterior soft tissues of the lower leg. There are still limitations in treating cases with tight, adherent scars on the dorsum of the foot that require long-distance distraction. If necessary, a multidisciplinary approach combined with microsurgical techniques can be utilized.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Young Adult ; Burns/complications* ; Foot Deformities, Acquired/etiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation*

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 explore the biomechanical characteristics and clinical application effects of three-dimensional (3D) printed osteotomy guide plate combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of rigid clubfoot. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 11 patients with rigid clubfoot who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted between January 2019 and December 2024. There were 6 males and 5 females, aged 21-60 years with an average of 43.2 years. Among them, 5 cases were untreated congenital rigid clubfoot, 4 cases were recurrent rigid clubfoot after previous treatment, and 2 cases were rigid clubfoot due to disease sequelae. All 11 patients first received slow distraction using Ilizarov technique combined with circular external fixator until the force lines of the foot and ankle joint were basically normal. Then, 1 male patient aged 24 years was selected, and CT scanning was used to obtain imaging data of the ankle joint and foot. A 3D finite element model was established and validated using the plantar stress distribution nephogram of the patient. After validation, the biomechanical changes of the tibiotalar joint under the same load were simulated after triple arthrodesis and fixation. The optimal correction angle of the hindfoot was determined to fabricate 3D-printed osteotomy guide plates, and all 11 patients underwent triple arthrodesis using these guide plates. The functional recovery was evaluated by comparing the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score, and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) score before and after operation. RESULTS: Finite element analysis showed that the maximum peak von Mises stress of the tibiotalar joint was at hindfoot varus 3° and the minimum at valgus 6°; the maximum peak von Mises stress of the 3 naviculocuneiform joints under various conditions appeared at lateral naviculocuneiform joint before operation, and the minimum appeared at lateral naviculocuneiform joint at neutral position 0°; the maximum peak von Mises stress of the 5 tarsometatarsal joints under various conditions appeared at the 2nd tarsometatarsal joint at hindfoot neutral position 0°, and the minimum appeared at the 1st tarsometatarsal joint at valgus 6°. Clinical application results showed that the characteristics of clubfoot deformity observed during operation were consistent with the preoperative 3D reconstruction model. All 11 patients were followed up 8-24 months with an average of 13.1 months. One patient had postoperative incision exudation, which healed after dressing change; the remaining patients had good incision healing. All patients achieved good healing of the osteotomy segments, with a healing time of 3-6 months and an average of 4.1 months. At last follow-up, the AOFAS score, SF-36 score, and ICFSG score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The 3D-printed osteotomy guide plate combined with Ilizarov technique has favorable biomechanical advantages in the treatment of rigid clubfoot, with significant clinical application effects. It can effectively improve the foot function of patients and achieve precise and personalized treatment.
Humans ; Clubfoot/diagnostic imaging* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Osteotomy/instrumentation* ; Female ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Middle Aged ; Bone Plates ; Young Adult ; Finite Element Analysis ; Treatment Outcome ; Ankle Joint/physiopathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; External Fixators

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation in treating Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle. METHODS: Between June 2020 and December 2023, 12 patients with Eichenholtz stage Ⅲ CN of the foot and ankle were treated with Ilizarov technique and steel needle internal fixation. There were 9 males and 3 females with an average age of 48.6 years (range, 19-66 years). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 16 months (mean, 6.8 months). Ankle joint involvement predominated in 7 cases, while midfoot involvement occurred in 5 cases; 3 cases presented with skin ulceration and soft tissue infection. Preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 31.2±9.0, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36)-Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was 32.6±6.8, and Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 47.8±8.4. Postoperative assessments included wound healing, regular X-ray film/CT evaluations of fusion status, and effectiveness via AOFAS and SF-36-PCS, MCS scores. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed without neurovascular complication. Two patients experienced delayed wound healing requiring intervention, and the others achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up 15-43 months (mean, 23.3 months). Imaging confirmed successful joint fusion within 13-21 weeks (mean, 16.8 weeks). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score was 72.5±6.4, and the SF-36-PCS and MCS scores were 63.2±8.4 and 76.7±5.3, respectively, all of which improved compared to preoperative levels, with significant differences ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ilizarov technique combined with steel needle internal fixation effectively restores walking function and achieves satisfactory short-term effectiveness in CN of the foot and ankle.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Ilizarov Technique ; Arthropathy, Neurogenic/surgery* ; Aged ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Needles ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Steel ; Young Adult ; Foot Joints/surgery*

PURPOSEIlizarov ring fixator and limb reconstruction system (LRS) fixators have been used in the management of complex tibial fractures with severe soft tissue injuries, compound tibial fractures, and infected tibial nonunion for which conventional internal fixation cannot be contemplated. Fracture union and distraction osteogenesis can be done simultaneously with these external fixators, allowing early weight bearing. Several previous studies have shown almost equal results of rail and ring fixators for the compound tibial shaft fractures. Thus we performed a prospective study to evaluate the union rate, functional outcome and amount of limb lengthening after the treatment of compound tibial shaft fractures with or without infected nonunion by ring or LRS fixators.

METHODSThis prospective study was done at Sarojini Naidu Medical College and Hospital, Agra, India and included 32 patients of compound tibial shaft fractures with or without infected nonunion. There were 26 males and 6 females and the average age was 40 years. Patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=16 for each): one underwent Ilizarov fixation and the other received LRS fixation. Cases were followed up for 3-24 months, 6 months on average from September 2012 to October 2014. Functional and radiological outcomes were assessed using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria for both rail and ring fixators.

RESULTSUnion was achieved in all cases. Radiological outcome was found excellent in 68.75%, good in 18.75% and fair in 12.50% of cases treated by rail fixators whereas it was excellent in 56.25%, good in 18.75%, fair in 12.50% and poor in 12.50% of cases treated by ring fixators. Functional result was satis- factory in 75.00% of cases treated by rail fixator and 68.75% of cases treated by ring fixators whereas the corresponding rate of unsatisfactory was 25.00% vs. 31.25%.

CONCLUSIONIn our short-term assessment, LRS fixators show a better result than Ilizarov fixators in terms of fracture union and functional outcome with soft tissue care and limb length.

Adult ; Aged ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; instrumentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the results of using the Ilizarov apparatus to transport bones in the treatment of benign bone tumors. METHODS: Seven patients (six males and one female) with benign bone tumors were treated by bone transport with an Ilizarov apparatus at our institution. Their mean age at surgery was 14.4 years (range, 4.8 to 36.9 years). The histological diagnoses were osteofibrous dysplasia (4), giant-cell tumor (1), intraosseous cavernous hemangioma (1), and aneurysmal bone cyst (1). Three radiological indices were used for evaluating the results: an external fixation index, a distraction index, and a maturation index. The bone and functional results were evaluated according to the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov classification. RESULTS: Five patients had bone union at the reconstructed site, one patient had a local recurrence, and the other had a nonunion at the docking site. The mean length of distraction was 7.3 cm (range, 5.1 to 12.1 cm). The mean external fixation index was 26.0 day/cm (range, 19.8 to 32.5 day/cm), the distraction index was 9.6 day/cm (range, 6.8 to 12.0 day/cm), and the maturation index was 14.9 day/cm (range, 8.0 to 22.5 day/cm). Ultimately, the bone and the functional results were rated excellent in six cases and good in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Bone transport using the Ilizarov apparatus is a good treatment option in patients with bone defects after the resection of an active or aggressive benign bone tumor.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms/*surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique/*instrumentation ; Male ; Young Adult

Difficult femoral nonunion takes account of infective nonunion and aseptic gap nonunion. Limb length discrepancy and nonunion need to be tackled simultaneously. Conventionally Ilizarov ring fixator is in vogue but it has some limitations. To overcome these, monorail fixator is an effective alternative. Persistent good results can be obtained if we can get a perfect anatomical alignment and good regeneration.
External Fixators ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of callus distraction performed by external fixtor in the reconstruction of bone defect and leg shortening of femur after osteomyelitis. METHODS: Nineteen child patients with bone defect and leg shortening after ostemomyelitis were treated by callus distraction with external fixator. The mean length of the bone defect was 1.3 cm. The mean leg-length discrepancy was 4.8 cm. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 21-82 months. The bone lengthening area grew well, the length of callus distraction was 4.5-8.0 cm, and the mean radiographic consolidation index was 39.7 d/cm. According to the Paley's criteria, the healing effect of 14 cases was excellent, and that of the rest 5 cases was good. The functional recovery of 11 cases was excellent, and that of the rest 8 cases was good. CONCLUSION Callus distraction is a reliable method in the reconstruction of bone defect and leg shortening caused by ostemomyelitis.
Adolescent ; Bony Callus ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Debridement ; adverse effects ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Leg Length Inequality ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; instrumentation ; methods ; Osteomyelitis ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of infected nonunion of the tibia by internal bone transport using the LRS mono-lateral external fixation.

METHODSFrom June 2003 to October 2005, twenty-eight patients who underwent internal bone transport for infected nonunion in the tibia were reviewed. Twenty-three cases were open fractures: grade IIIA, 5 cases; grade IIIB, 11 cases; grade IIIC, 7 cases. The other five cases were infected nonunion after internal fixation. The results were evaluated by the classification of the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarove (ASAMI) which divided into bone and functional categories.

RESULTSMean follow-up was 16 months. All the cases got primary bone union, and infection was controlled. Bone results were 14 excellent, 9 good, 2 fair and 3 poor. And functional results were 10 excellent, 13 good, 2 fair and 3 poor. The mean length of time in healing for all patients were 9 months. The mean length of regenerate bone were 6.6 cm. The most common complication was pin infection, and 2 cases refractured at the docking site.

CONCLUSIONSTibial infected nonunion can be successfully treated using the internal bone transport technique.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; instrumentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome