Faculty Bibliography

The Ilizarov technique allows new histogenesis of soft tissue as well as bone. This process, extended to the foot, has allowed correction of complex three-dimensional deformities. The method is described and demonstrated to illustrate the action and limitations as well as the complications of the method.

A new 'bloodless' technique (Ilizarov) was used to correct 36 limb deformities in 29 children. There were six leg length discrepancies, five achondroplasias, four deformed feet, five joint contractures, one rotational deformity of tibia, and in three the apparatus was used as an external fixator after corrective osteotomy. Lengthening was accomplished in 15 of the 16 procedures (93%). Average increase in femur length was 10 cm (32%), in tibial length 7.5 cm (30%), in humerus 11 cm (40%). Bony union was achieved in two out of five pseudoarthroses. Four deformed feet were fully corrected. Joint contractures were corrected in four out of five. The complication rate is as high as in other methods but with the Ilizarov apparatus, longer segments of bone were lengthened and more complex deformities were treated. Complications lessened as experience was gained

The reoperated clubfeet of 29 children aged one to 12 years were reviewed. The surgical procedure most often used in revision surgery was recomplete soft-tissue release alone or combined with plantar release, calcaneocuboid fusion, and capsulotomies of the navicular-first cuneiform-first metatarsal joint. In 27 of 29 feet, acceptable results were achieved. Nineteen were excellent and good results. An algorithm that suggests surgical solutions to a variety of clubfoot deformities in different age groups has been developed, as well as an objective rating system, to evaluate the long-term results of revision surgery of clubfeet

Traditional conservative and surgical methods of treatment of melorheostosis, such as manipulations, plaster casts, soft-tissue releases, capsulotomies, and osteotomies cause a high recurrence rate. In a 12-year-old girl, flexion contracture of a knee with limb inequality caused by melorheostosis was corrected successfully with the Ilizarov distraction apparatus

Growing pains are leg pains that appear in a significant number of children 3 to 12 years of age and cease with maturity. They occur at the end of the day or may awaken the child from sleep. Their pathogenesis is unknown. The diagnosis should be one of exclusion only, and treatment is supportive.

Thirty percent to 50% of clubfeet will not respond to conservative treatment and will require surgery. The average failure rate in clubfoot surgery is 25% (range, 13% to 50%). Many complications can occur during surgery and postoperatively. Preoperative planning of the appropriate skin incision and special attention to wound closure may prevent some of these complications. Awareness of the multiple complications that can occur such as cavus, persistent adductus, overcorrection of the hindfoot, and recurrent deformity allows the surgeon to prepare and plan for these often unavoidable problems.

Several complications following Pavlik harness splintage for congenital dislocated hips have been described. Two cases are reported where prolonged Pavlik splintage without concentric hip reduction caused posterior acetabular deficiency. Open reductions were required in both cases to correct deformity.

Idiopathic clubfeet in children three years of age or older which have not been treated previously or which have recurred, can be treated successfully by using the Ilizarov technique. The authors report on four feet in three children which were treated by this method. Follow-up examinations at 11-24 months found all corrections successfully maintained.

The new technique of leg lengthening and deformity correction with different types of external fixators has given the orthopedic surgeon a tool that allows correction of very difficult deformities and leg length discrepancies of the lower extremity. Dissemination of this knowledge has demonstrated that there are many associated problems with these techniques: one of which is resulting equinus deformity after correcting the tibia. The shortened soleus-gastrocnemius-achilles tendon complex is the cause of this deformity. Several techniques are suggested on avoiding this complication and how to correct it once it has occurred