title: The results of bone deformity correction using a spider frame with web-based software for lower extremity long bone deformities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the functional and radiological results and evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted external fixator (spider frame) in patients with lower extremity shortness and deformity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised 17 patients (14 male, 3 female) who were treated for lower extremity long bone deformity and shortness between 2012 and 2015 using a spider frame. The procedure's level of difficulty was determined preoperatively using the Paley Scale. Postoperatively, the results for the patients who underwent tibial operations were evaluated using the Paley criteria modified by ASAMI, and the results for the patients who underwent femoral operations were evaluated according to the Paley scoring system. The evaluations were made by calculating the External Fixator and Distraction indexes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 24.58 years (range, 5-51 years). The spider frame was applied to the femur in 10 patients and to the tibia in seven. The mean follow-up period was 15 months (range, 6-31 months) from the operation day, and the mean amount of lengthening was 3.0 cm (range, 1-6 cm). The mean duration of fixator application was 202.7 days (range, 104-300 days). The mean External Fixator Index was 98 days/cm (range, 42-265 days/cm). The mean Distraction Index was 10.49 days/cm (range, 10-14 days/cm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The computer-assisted external fixator system (spider frame) achieves single-stage correction in cases of both deformity and shortness. The system can be applied easily, and because of its high-tech software, it offers the possibility of postoperative treatment of the deformity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Çağrı
authors.initials: AÇ
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Çabuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Süleyman Semih
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Dedeoğlu
authors.affiliation: Metin Sabanci Baltalimani Bone Disease Training and Research Hospital 34470 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Selçuk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Saygılı
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Müjdat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adaş
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem Zeki
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Esenyel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 34384 Istanbul Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem Dinçay
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Büyükkurt
authors.affiliation: Privite Reyap Hospital Tekirdağ Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tonbul
keywords: Computer-assisted software; Deformity correction; Limb shortness treatment