title: Efficacy of the Taylor spatial frame in the treatment of deformities around the knee.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) can precisely correct deformities around the knee and whether application of TSF is easy and safe for treatment of the deformities around the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 50 retrospectively reviewed limbs of 37 patients (mean age: 23 years, range: 10 to 58 years) with deformity around the knee joint treated using the TSF. Thirty-three limbs had tibial and 17 femoral deformities. Preoperative standard anteroposterior, lateral radiographs and standing orthoroentgenographic measurements were taken for each patient. Mechanical axis deviation (MAD), leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and lateral femoral distal angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured from standing orthoroentgenographics. All measurements were repeated after external fixator removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frame was applied for an average of 20.3 (range: 4 to 36) weeks. Mean follow-up time following removal of external fixator was 32 (range: 15 to 54) months. An effective and accurate correction was achieved in all cases. Solid bone consolidation was obtained in all but two cases which underwent bone grafting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taylor spatial frame appears to be a safe and effective method for the gradual correction of the complex translational and rotational deformities around the knee.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey. dr_samis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sökücü
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Karakoyun
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arıkan
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Küçükkaya
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kabukcuoğlu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000628:therapy*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012399:Rotation; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult