title: The treatment of open tibial fractures and of tibial non-union with a novel external fixator.
abstract: We report the results of external fixation in 29 patients treated for tibial fractures and tibial non-union using a novel multi axial external fixator (MAXX) followed prospectively until bony union. The results of treatment were classified according to the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI). Overall, 13 patients had excellent bone results; 13 had good bone results; two had fair bone results, and 1 patient had poor bone results. Regarding functional results, 21 patients had excellent results; 6 obtained good results; none had fair results, and two had poor results. Acute patients did better functionally than chronic patients. This fixator is safe and versatile, although the indications for its use are very specific.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Aberdeen Medical School, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Scotland, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: D S K
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Choon
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D003906:Developing Countries; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome