EFFICIENCY OF MODIFIED ASSEMBLES OF EXTERNAL FIXATION IN CORRECTION OF VARUS DEFORMITY OF LEGS
Treatment of varus deformities of the lower extremities is one of the most common problems in traumatology and orthopedics. The experience of the use of various assemblies of external fixation devices allows us to combine the principles of circular and monolateral devices in one design. This study is dedicated to development of technology of improved modified assembles of external fixation apparatus. Objective - to study the effectiveness of modified assembles of external fixation in correction of varus deformation of the legs. Material and methods. The clinical study included data of 281 patients. Among our patients with varus deformity of the legs, women predominated under the age of 30. Most of the patients complained of deformity of the legs, discomfort in the knee and ankle joints during prolonged walking periods, pain and swelling in both knee and ankle joints, fatigue in the legs, and severe psychological discomfort from deformity of the legs. Reconstructive operations of the legs were performed using a modified assembly of the external fixation developed by us. Results. The average fixation time in the correction of varus deformity of the legs, using the developed method was 161 days for 281 patients. 3 patients had secondary varus deformity at the level of osteotomy which was corrected in 2 patients immediately and in 1 patient gradually. 1 patient had secondary valgus deformaty, which was corrected immediately. Conclusion. The assembly of the external fixation device developed by us is based on the concepts we proposed: 1) functionality of the apparatus fulfills our planned medical tasks; 2) fixing elements have less influence on the muscle mass; 3) comfort for the patient; 4) the apparatus is simple for using; 5) the assembly of the apparatus does not hinder radiological diagnostics.Less time is required for operation with the modified assembly than for installation of classical circular Ilizarov apparatus since we use pins of 3 mm diameter which do not require for tension.