Purposes This study compared the six-axis external fixator Ortho-SUV Frame (OSF) and the Ilizarov apparatus (IA) in femoral deformity correction. Our specific questions were: (1) which of the fixators (OSF or IA) provides shorter period of femoral deformity correction, and (2) which of the fixators (OSF or IA) provides better accuracy of correction. Methods We retrospectively analysed 123 cases of femoral deformities (127 femora): 45 (47) treated with OSF (20 male and 27 female) and 78 (80) with IA (53 male and 27 female). The average age in the OSF group was 34.6 (range, 18-66) and in the IA group 35.8 (range, 18-76). All the deformities were categorized according to the number of planes and deformity components as simple, middle and complex deformities. Results Elimination of simple deformities in the IA group took 58.3±21.4 days, EFI 58.8±39.8 days/cm, and lengthening was 4.6±1.98 cm. Middle deformities were 71.3±26.2, 61.9±30.3 and 4±2, respectively. In complex deformities we had 105.2± 21.8, 79.3±35.4 and 3.2±1.45, respectively. Normal alignment was achieved in 55.0 % of cases in IA. In 45.0 % of cases we had residual deformity. Elimination of simple deformations in the OSF group took 55.3±12.8 days, EFI 47.5±23 days/cm, and lengthening 4.5±1.1сm. Middle deformities were 43.6± 18.9, 59±14.6 and 3.6±2, respectively. In complex deformities we had 44.9±11.5, 57.5±9.4 and 3.6±1.7, respectively. In the OSF group normal alignment was achieved in 85.1 %. In 14.9 % there was residual deformity.Conclusion Using OSF simplifies deformity correction and reduces its period by 2.3 times in complex deformities and by 1.6 times in middle deformities. Accuracy of correction with OSF was significantly higher than correction with IA.

For the treatment of patients with multilevel deformities when there are contraindications for an acute single step correction the external fixation should be applied including orthopedic hexapods. At the same time a separate orthopedic hexapod is used for each level of deformity. This leads to a significant bulkiness of the overall frame assembly. Calculation of deformity correction in the presence of an intermediate fragment (fragments) and practical implementation of correction represent by no means a simple task.Purpose of the study – to perform a clinical approbation of “spring” technique for multilevel correction of long bones deformities and to evaluate the results.Materials and methods. The authors developed an original technique for correcting multilevel deformities using a single orthopedic hexapod. During the procedure the hexapod struts are fixed only to the proximal and distal rings, and the intermediate ring (rings) is fixed to the adjacent supports using the springs – a so-called “spring” technique. The new method has been successfully tested in the treatment of 7 patients with 2 and 3-level deformities of long bones.Results. The reported correction accuracy was 97.6%. The fixation period averaged 47 weeks (from 37 to 54 weeks). In 2 cases the authors observed soft tissues inflammation around of transosseous elements eradicated by the administration of antibiotics. In one patient with post-traumatic deformity a premature consolidation was observed at one of the levels which required re-osteotomy with further correction using two hexapods.Conclusion. Preliminary results demonstrated that the use of simultaneous correction of deformities at several levels applying one orthopedic hexapod Ortho-SUV and springs simplifies correction calculations, provides optimal timing for deformity correction while maintaining the minimal frame dimensions.

Relevance. Deep infection after knee arthroplasty requires radical surgical treatment of the infection site, removal of endoprosthesis components, and an antimicrobial spacer placement. If revision knee arthroplasty is impossible, the «gold standard» for this kind of patients is knee joint arthrodesis. The purpose of the study was the comparative analysis of knee joint fusion by external and internal fixation. Materials and Methods. The analysis of 60 cases of knee arthrodesis was carried out. The patients were divided into two groups with 30 patients in each. In the first group, knee arthrodesis was performed with long locking nail, in the second group — with external ring fixation. We compared the groups by intraoperative and drainage blood loss, the inpatient treatment duration, the terms of fusion and complications registered. The patients quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire before surgery, for the periods of 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery. Results. The comparison of two methods of knee arthrodesis showed that blood loss in the internal fixation compared with external one, was 2.03 times more, the duration of inpatient treatment was 1.4 times less, and the total number of complications was 4.4 times less. However, the complications that affected the treatment outcome in long nail group were 1.5 times more. The differences in the average time of ankylosis formation were not statistically significant (p<0.05). The functional results of the treatment in 3 months after surgery in the group with internal fixation were much better. In 6 months after surgery the quality of life had no significant differences. In 12 months follow-up the indices in both groups were the same. Conclusion. The results of our study suggests us to think, knee joint arthrodesis by long fusion nail should be prefereble. If the nail insertion is technically impossible, and there is the high risk of deep infection recurrence, the external osteosynthesis should be used.

Background. The introduction of the combined and sequential application of transosseous and intramedullary blocked osteosynthesis in limb lengthening requires an experimental study of the features of distraction regenerate. For small animals (in particular rabbits), special models are required.Aims. To develop experimental models of sequential and combined use of transosseous and intramedullary osteosynthesis in limb lengthening and substantiate their effectiveness.Materials and methods. A comparative study was carried out on 30 rabbits of the Soviet Chinchilla breed. Experimental models of sequential (EM-1) and combined (EM-2) application of transosseous and intramedullary osteosynthesis with preservation of the apparatus during the fixation period to simulate blockage were studied in the main groups. For comparison, sequential (comparison model 1 – CM-1) and combined (comparison model 2 – CM-2) use of transosseous and intramedullary osteosynthesis with dismantling of the apparatus at the end of distraction were modeled. The control was a regenerate formed according to the classical Ilizarov method. Radiographs were performed in dynamics, CT and morphological studies – at the end of the fixation period.Results. It was noted that regenerates of the same type in structure were formed in the EM-1 and CM-1 groups, as in the EM-2 and CM-2 groups. With successive methods, the spindle-shaped form of the regenerate prevailed, the formation of a pronounced periosteal component was noted. Powerful cortical plates, according to morphological studies, are formed from the periosteal and intermediate zones. With combined techniques, the cortical plates are formed thinner and predominantly from the periosteal component, the shape of the regenerate is closer to fusiform. In the comparison groups, the total time of surgical interventions was 25–50 % longer, in 50 % of cases there was a loss of length or deformation of the regenerate.Conclusions. The developed models of sequential and combined use of transosseous and intramedullary osteosynthesis for limb lengthening with preservation of fixation with an apparatus to simulate blocking have proven to be reliable in terms of fixation and easy to use on small laboratory animals..

The tibialis posterior tendon is the most superficial structure, passing behind the medial malleolus in the groove, which continue to strong fibro-osseus tunnel. Dislocation of the tibialis posterior tendon - a rare pathology, caused often by trauma. Analysis of foreign literature revealed that at present, since 1968, there is a description of only 34 cases of such injury. In russian literature such cases have not been described. The first case of this pathology is described by C. Martius in 1874. The authors analyzed the recent literature on this issue, and present a case of surgical treatment of the posterior tibial tendon dislocation. Patient had an injury during playing football and it was a direct trauma. During the MRI, radiologist had suspected dislocation of posterior tibial tendon, and the patient was sent to Vreden Institution of Traumatology and Orthopedics. Patients underwent surgery: recess medial malleolus groove was deeped, a flexor retinaculum flap was made, then it was fixed by transosseous sutures to the tibia. At one year follow-up patient showed a complete range of motion in the joint, the absence of any pain and returned to the previous sports activity. This article shows the difficulty for the diagnosis of traumatic dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon and shows the possibilities of surgical treatment in such cases.