title: Strategies for managing bone defects of the lower extremity.
abstract: Management of posttraumatic segmental bone loss as a result of severe open injuries of the lower extremity, high-energy closed injuries, and following failed initial treatment of complex fractures that develop pseudarthrosis continues to challenge reconstructive surgeons. There are numerous strategies for dealing with such injuries but the outcome is unpredictable. The procedure is rarely only one stage and complications frequently arise. In most cases the reconstruction process is long and difficult and amputation must be part of the decision-making process. All traditional treatment strategies have advantages and major drawbacks. To overcome some limitations, biologic treatments have been developed based on specific pathways of bone physiology and healing.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece. Electronic address: vpolyzois@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vasilios D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Polyzois
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lampropoulou-Adamidou
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: Elias S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Vasiliadis
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vlamis
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, KAT Hospital, 2 Nikis Street, Kifisia, Athens 14561, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Pneumaticos
mesh_terms: D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation
keywords: Distraction osteogenesis; Ilizarov technique; Induced membranes; Masquelet technique; Papineau technique; RIA technique