PRINCIPLES OF THE USE OF EXTERNAL FIXATOR IN THE CORRECTION OF CONGENITAL LOWER LIMB DEFORMATIES

Abstract

The use of the external fixator represents one of the recent approaches in the management of congenital lower limb anomalies.

Owing to the vast variation of the types of congenital deformities of the lower limb, different classification systems has been set to include a wide range of deformities; ranging from simple deformities requiring only passive stretch of tissues up to severe complex deformities needing surgical correction.

Correction of different deformities of the lower limb may be done via different techniques according to:

• severity of the case • multiplicity of the deformities • degree of parental cooperation

The basic principle of correction is the elongation of soft tissues or the shortening of bone. Thus, the external fixator technique may be used to achieve gradual physiologic elongation of soft tissues without multiple surgical interference and hence, the application of this technique in the severe, complex, or relapsed deformities