A clinical case of catastrophic ring failure in a 13 year old autistic overweight patient during treatment for tibial lengthening and deformity using a Taylor Spatial Frame is reported. Ring failure was noted during the later stages of bone healing and the frame was removed. The clinical outcome was not affected by the catastrophic ring failure. The photograph of the deformed ring is presented below: The patient's notes and X-rays were reviewed and a macroscopic examination of the deformed ring was performed. Mechanical tests of different Taylor Spatial frame constructs were performed in an attempt to simulate the deformity that was clinically observed. Different constructs of TSF of different ring sizes were fixed to polyurethane cylinders simulating bone, were mechanically tested to failure and load/deflection curves were produced.Introduction
Materials and Methods
