Now a days the ILIZAROV treatment is a highly successful orthopedic surgical technique designed to lengthen or straighten bone and soft tissue. Although some form of fixation has been used in orthopedic medicine for hundreds of years, it was Russian-born Gavril Ilizarov who is considered the 'father' of circular external fixators and the ILIZAROV technique. In fact, all circular external fixators today are based on Dr. Ilizarov's work from the 1950s. Additionally, the ILIZAROV technique and the innovative device can sometimes save limbs that might otherwise be amputated.
The ILIZAROV Method
Limb length inequality and limb deformity can be due to many causes. The treatment plan and use of the ILIZAROV method will depend on the following factors
• Degree of the discrepancy
• Age of the patient
• The underlying reason for the deformity
Limb correction and ILIZAROV treatment may be prescribed for a variety of conditions:
Trauma, including:
- Growth plate fractures
- Malunion (healing of bones in an incorrect position)
- Nonunion (incomplete healing of fractured bones)
- Shortening and deformity due to bone loss
Congenital limb length discrepancies, including:
- Congenital short Femur
- Fibular hemimelia
- Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia
- Hemiatrophy/Hemihypertrophy
- Birth defects and deformities
