Slow, gradual external fixator distraction in acquired ankle and foot contracture.
BACKGROUND
External fixators have been noted to have a place in the orthopaedic management of problems involving the ankle and foot. We here report a case of ankle and foot contracture managed by soft tissue release and slow, gradual external fixator distraction.


METHODS
A case report of a patient with acquired ankle and foot contracture and discussion of relevant literature.


RESULTS
A 9-year old female presented to our out-patient clinic with features of right ankle and foot contracture following treatment by traditional bone setters 6 years earlier. The contracture was fixed at 30 degrees. She had soft tissue release and slow, gradual external fixator distraction which corrected the foot to a plantigrade position. Subsequently she had skin grafting for the skin defect. After removal of the external fixator she was placed on a below knee cast and commenced weight bearing. The cast was removed after three weeks and the patient has continued to bear weight on a plantigrade foot.


CONCLUSIONS
External fixators have a definite place in contracture release and should be widely utilized.
Adiela
V U E
VU
Orthopaedic Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ekere
A U
AU
Yellowe
B E
BE
Echem
R C
RC
Omodu
O
O
D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans