Abstract
Saggital plane deformities are difficult to treat and pose major challenge to orthopaedic surgeons and we are presenting short series of patients who have undergone the deformity correction with ring fixator.
Sixteen deformities in 15 patients were corrected during 1996 to 2004. The aetiology was congenital pterigium five cases, post traumatic seven cases, one each of polio, septic knee and post osteomyelitic sequelae. Nine patients had fixed flexion deformity, four had procurvatum and one had recurvatum and one patient had combined deformity.
All cases were analysed with adequate x-rays two level fixation above and below the apex of the deformity was done with the hinges placed at the apex of the deformity. The motor was provided perpendicular to the axis of the hinge. Bony correction was performed in eight cases and rest were corrected by soft tissue distraction. After achieving correction fixator was retained for a month or two to prevent recurrence.
Out of the eight cases of fixed flexion deformity (FFD) in nine knees, full correction was achieved in seven knees. One adult with septic knee was planned for correction of deformity and fusion which was completed in 4 months time. Out of five congenital pterigium three had full correction. One case had complete recurrence which was recorrected completely in the second attempt and the 5th case had residual 20 degree deformity. Knee deformity in PPRP patient underwent SC osteotomy with good correction of the deformity which compensated the quadriceps gait. Post traumatic FFDs were corrected fully. The bony deformities of tibia namely the procurvatum and recutvatum deformities were corrected fully. Average fixator time is 7 months.
Correspondence should be addressed to Editorial Secretary Mr ML Costa or Assistant Editorial Secretary Mr B.J. Ollivere at BOA, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, England; Email: mattcosta@hotmail.com or ben@ollivere.co.uk
