title: Speeded gradual lengthening and secondary angled blade plate stabilisation for proximal tibial shaft non-union with shortening.
abstract: Eighteen patients with proximal tibial shaft non-union and shortening were treated. In each patient, the non-union area was débrided, realigned and stabilised with an Ilizarov lengthening frame. The tibia was gradually lengthened by 1-1.5 mm per day. After achieving the desired length, external fixation was converted to an angled blade plate and packed with cancellous bone graft. Follow-up of 16 patients for a median of 2.4 (1.2-4.5) years revealed satisfactory outcomes in all. No wound infections were noted. The described technique has a high success rate, a short treatment course and reduces patient discomfort. This method may be considered preferential treatment for all patients with the specified indications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Zhon-Liau
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Z-L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D004867:Equipment Design; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult