Abstract
This report from five hospitals in Japan describes the results of correcting adult tibial deformities using external fixation. There were 49 patients with 59 lower limb deformities, with trauma being the most common cause of the deformity. Varus angulation was the most common deformity, and the most common magnitude was 11°–30°. Twenty-two patients had a leg-length discrepancy. The aim of the correction was to normalize both the mechanical axis and the inclination of the knee and ankle joints. In 63% of the patients corrections were performed gradually during bone lengthening or acutely after bone lengthening. Altogether, 71% of the patients were completely corrected, and no leg-length discrepancies remained after correction in 47%. Complications were encountered in 22 patients, about half of which were pin tract infections, 28% refractures, and the remainder delayed consolidation or fixator failure. There were no neurological or circulatory complications. The average fixation duration was 9 months. The average hospital charges were 3 740 000 yen in bilateral correction patients and 1 940 000 yen in unilateral correction patients. External fixation can correct not only the mechanical axis and joint inclination but also leg-length discrepancy simultaneously.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: June 10, 2002 / Accepted: January 14, 2003
RID="*"
ID="*" Offprint requests to: W. Sato
About this article
Cite this article
Sato, W., Ohnishi, I., Nishimura, N. et al. Correction of tibial deformity in adults. J Orthop Sci 8, 306–312 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10776-003-0652-9
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10776-003-0652-9