title: Arthrodesis of the hip joint using an external fixator.
abstract: Arthrodesis of the hip has been plagued by high rates of nonunion, and by complications associated with prolonged cast immobilization. To prevent these problems, we devised a procedure for hip arthrodesis using an external fixator in combination with internal fixation at the fusion site. We have treated nine patients with this technique. All of the arthrodeses were solidly united without wound infections at the most recent follow-up. Patients were able to leave their hospital bed and walk on the affected limb with a cane shortly after surgery. This was possible because the external fixator was low in profile, as it was applied from the anterosuperior iliac spine to the femoral shaft, and provided rigid stabilization of the arthrodesis. The technique resulted in a reduction in the period of bed rest, immediate postoperative mobilization, shorter periods of hospitalization, no limitation in the range of knee and ankle motion, improvement in the patient's ability to carry out the personal hygiene, and fewer complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Asahimachi-dori, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toyama
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dohmae
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tojo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Touchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sofue
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002183:Canes; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004434:Early Ambulation; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006618:Hip Dislocation, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery; D007103:Immobilization; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014945:Wound Healing