Rule of the ilizarov method in treatment of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia

ABSTRACT

Congenital pseudoarthrosis tibia is relatively a rare condition, occurring in 1 in 190.000 to 1 in 250.000 live births but it is one of the most perplexing problems in pediatric orthopedics. After the fracture has occurred, it is refractory for union. A great number of different surgical procedures have been used to treat it. However, these methods had not been uniformly successful in obtaining and maintaining union. Recently, Ilizarov method had been introduced to treat such cases where it demonstrated by many authors satisfactory results. Nine cases of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia were treated by Ilizarov method since January 2003 till December 2005. The mean follow-up after Ilizarov-device removal was 2.9 years [range 2-4, SD 0.7]. Consolidation was obtained in the all patients operated. The leg length discrepancy was corrected in all patients. Ilizarov technique is a successful method of treatment for congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia that tackles all problems of the disease