The Complication of Tibial Fractures with Ilizarov External Fixation: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Aim:The purpose of this study was to assess if the Ilizarov ring fixator caused any problems in open tibial fractures.

Study design: A longitudinal study

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Muhammad Medical College and Hospital Mirpurkhas, Pakistan from  January 2020 to January 2021.

Methodology: For this study, 55 adults were included. Clinical evaluations were performed on the patients based on their medical histories and physical examinations. Acute open grade III tibia fractures with >5cms of bone loss and infected non-union with or without prior history of internal fixation were included in this study. Plain anteroposterior and true lateral radiographs were utilized to evaluate the affected limb to measure the complications.

Results: Out of the 55 cases, 48 were male, and seven were female. In 47 of the 55 instances, the right tibia was implicated. In 92% of cases, there was a history of a car collision on the side of the road, and 7% of cases had a history of a fall from height. The limp was observable in 38 cases (45%), ankle stiffness in 12 cases (28.34%), pin site infection in 21 cases (38%), limb oedema in 14 cases (28.09%), loosening of pins in 1 case (3.3%), knee stiffness in 6 cases (15%), deformity (>7 degrees) in 4 cases (3.4%), and refracture in three cases (4.4 %).

Conclusion:The most common consequences were limb and pin tract infection. The majority of problems can be avoided with proper post-operative care. Complications can be adequately handled if detected early.