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*

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 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 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 effect of lateral tibial periosteum distraction on diabetic foot and vasculitis foot.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 13 patients (16 feet) who received lateral tibial periosteal distraction between June 2019 and May 2020 were included in the study. 9 males and 4 females; aged 39-77 years (average 66 years); left foot 7 cases, right foot 9 cases. 5 cases were patients with diabetic foot, 1 case was diabetic foot with arteriosclerosis obliterans, 2 cases were thromboembolic vasculitis, and 5 cases were arteriosclerosis obliterans. The tibial periosteum was dissected and a distraction device was placed. In the 3 patients with foot ulcers, tibial periosteum distraction devices were placed on the severer side. The periosteal distraction began on the third day after surgery, about 0.75 mm/d, the adjustment was done usually in two weeks. Two weeks later, the stretch plate was removed surgically. The followings were evaluated: visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, foot peripheral oxygen saturation, foot capillary filling test, lower extremity arterial CT angiography (CTA), etc.Results:All 13 patients were followed up for 2-12 weeks, with an average of 3.85 weeks. VAS pain score: the average pain score of 13 patients with preoperative foot pain was 5.31±1.84 (range, 2-9) points, and 2 weeks after surgery, the average value was 2.46±1.39 (range, 1-6) points with statistical significance ( t=6.124, P<0.001) ; peripheral foot oxygen saturation: the average preoperative blood oxygen saturation of 12 patients was 87.83%±14.83% (range, 50%-98%), 1 patient was not detected before surgery, and 2 weeks after operation, the average blood oxygen saturation was 92.33%±7.91% (range, 75%-99%). There was no significant difference between them ( t=1.124, P=0.285). The foot skin temperature of 10 patients was 35.68±0.85 ℃ (range, 34.00-36.60 ℃) before surgery and 36.23±0.46 ℃ (range, 35.50-36.90 ℃) after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.197, P=0.008) . Capillary filling test: 2 weeks after operation, the capillary filling response was significantly improved. All 13 patients had improved CTA of both lower extremity arteries before operation, and 11 patients had CTA taken back after two weeks of operation. Compared with preoperative CTA, new vascular network was found in the operation limb. In addition to 1 patient with thromboangiitis obliterans (mainly suffering from foot pain, no wound symptoms), 2 of 12 patients with heart failure, renal failure and other basic diseases did not heal, and the wounds of the other 10 patients had improved significantly 1 month later. Conclusion:Lateral tibia periosteum distraction can be used to treat chronic ischemic diseases of lower extremities with satisfactory postoperative results.

Objective:To summarize the effect of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation.Methods:From January 2015 to June 2019, nine cases of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation, from Peking University Third Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital of the National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, were treated with Ilizarov technique, including four males and five females, aged 9 to 35 years, with an average age of 19.5 years. There were two cases of flexion of the hip and knee, four cases of flexion of the knee, two cases of flexion of the knee with talipes equinovarus, and one case of flexion of the wrist. Ilizarov technique was used for treatment after the evaluation of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. According to the safe zone of wire fixation and the limbs deformities character, the preassembled external fixator was connected to the relevant deformed limbs, and the tendons were released at the same time. Limbs deformities were corrected gradually by adjusting the external fixator. For patients with severe pain or rapid development of the affected area, it is appropriate to perform ultrasound-guided injection of lauromacrogol and physical therapy to promote the function of joints.Results:During the treatment, there were no neurovascular injury, peripheral blood circulation disorder, infection event of injection channel and incision, or deep vein thrombosis. The follow-up were 6 to 40 months, with an average of 30.5 months. All the contractures of the hip and knee joints, most of the deformities of the wrist and ankle joints were corrected and the pain disappeared.Conclusions:Ilizarov technique is a minimally invasive, safe and effective method for the treatment of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation.

Objective:To summarize the effect of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation.Methods:From January 2015 to June 2019, nine cases of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation, from Peking University Third Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital of the National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, were treated with Ilizarov technique, including four males and five females, aged 9 to 35 years, with an average age of 19.5 years. There were two cases of flexion of the hip and knee, four cases of flexion of the knee, two cases of flexion of the knee with talipes equinovarus, and one case of flexion of the wrist. Ilizarov technique was used for treatment after the evaluation of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. According to the safe zone of wire fixation and the limbs deformities character, the preassembled external fixator was connected to the relevant deformed limbs, and the tendons were released at the same time. Limbs deformities were corrected gradually by adjusting the external fixator. For patients with severe pain or rapid development of the affected area, it is appropriate to perform ultrasound-guided injection of lauromacrogol and physical therapy to promote the function of joints.Results:During the treatment, there were no neurovascular injury, peripheral blood circulation disorder, infection event of injection channel and incision, or deep vein thrombosis. The follow-up were 6 to 40 months, with an average of 30.5 months. All the contractures of the hip and knee joints, most of the deformities of the wrist and ankle joints were corrected and the pain disappeared.Conclusions:Ilizarov technique is a minimally invasive, safe and effective method for the treatment of limb contracture secondary to venous malformation.

Objective To assess the clinical curative effect of accordion technique in the treatment of tibial delayed union or nonunion.Methods From February 2016 to December 2017,data of 11 patients with tibial delayed union (n=8) or non-union (n=3) who had been treated by accordion technique with an Ilizarov ring external fixator were retrospectively analyzed.10 males and 1 female were included in our study,with an average age of 41.9 years (range,21-63 years).There were 5 cases of docking site delayed union after Ilizarov transport for chronic tibial osteomyelitis.There were 3 cases of fracture site delayed union after external fixation for open tibia comminuted fracture.There were 3 cases of nonunion after tibia closed fracture,including 2 cases who had hybrid external fixation treatment,and 1 case who had conservative treatment.All the cases received accordion technique using Ilizarov ring external fixators.First,gradual compression at the fracture site was conducted until the bony contact was seen on a radiograph.After bony contact,compression was continued at a rate of 0.85 mm/d for a week,followed by distraction of 0.85 mm/d for 2-3 weeks.Afterward,a second compression was conducted using same rate and time with the distraction procedure.And there was a 7-day latent period between compression and distraction.One or two cycles of compression-distraction were needed before union was present radiographically.Results Bony union was obtained in all 11 patients after a mean time of 5.4 months (from 3 to 9 months).The mean follow-up for the 11 patients was 15.2 months (from 11 to 29 months).The mean duration of the accordion technique treatment was 50.2 d (range,35-67 d).The accordion technique was used 1 time for 8 patients,and 2 times for 3 patients.The mean duration of bone consolidation was 114.9 d (range,64-239 d).According to Paley evaluation criteria,osseous results were excellent in 8 cases,good in 3 cases,with a good to excellent rate of 100％(11/11);functional results were excellent in 7 cases,and good in 4 cases,with a good to excellent rate of 100％(11/11).Conclusion The accordion technique is a minimal invasive,safe and reliable treatment program for tibial delayed union or nonunion.

In the era of precision medicine,liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)will continue to have significant impact on laboratory medicine in spite of the inherent challenges posed by the technology.It seeks to explain what is clinical mass spectrometry,and describes its basic framework and life cycle.It concludeds the key points of clinical LC-MS through the practical experiences of CLSI guideline and Cleveland health care clinical mass spectrometry laboratory.It then illustrates the challenges of appropriately applying LC-MS to clinical diagnostics through comparisons with research based LC-MS utilizations. Furthermore,It attempts to elucidate the challenges and endeavors It has made toward implementing clinical LC-MS in China.Finally,It discusses the prospective future of LC-MS in clinical diagnostics.