Ilizarov External Fixation in High Tibial Osteotomy

Yoo, Chong Il; Suh, Jeung Tak; Kim, Sung Hun

Abstract

Elderly patient with Genu Varus deformity is commonly treated by high tibial valgus osteotomy to unload the stress concentration medially. Most of these procedures were performed by closing wedge osteotomies and that revealed some problems. Most require a fairly large scar and later reoperation for implant removal. The Ilizarov apparatus and Ilizarov's principles of deformity correction seem to offer several advantages over other methods of high tibial osteotomy. With the Ilizarov method, distractional open wedge technique offers a biomechanically sound, predictably accurate, and reproducible method of correcting an extremity's mechanical axis deviation. From December 1991 to December 1993 at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Pusan National University Hospital, 5 patients(7 tibia) underwent the operation of correction of the genu varum using Ilizarov external fixator for osteoarthritis. The results were summarized as follows: l. All case were female, and the Mean age was 58 years old. 2. Preoperative mean varus angle were 20° and postoperative mean valgus angle were 6° at final follow-up. 3. The complication was not detected includes limb length descrepancy. 4. Mean Ilizarov external fixator fixation period was 5 months. 5. The results after average 1 year 1 month of follow-up were as follows: Excellent in 2 cases(29%), Good in 4 cases(57%), Fair in 1 case(14%), Poor in 0 case()%). 6. The early clinical and radiologic results were encouraging, although a longer follow-up period is necessary.