UNIVERSAL 3-DIMENSIONAL CORRECTION AND RE DUCTION WITH THE RING FIXATOR USING THE HEXAPOD CONFIGURATION

A new configuration for the Ilisarov fixator with 6 distracters and 12 ball joints in the form of a hexapod is proposed. Using this assembly , a correction or reduction is possible with respect to any given poin t and axis in space. The primary position of the rings is not critical . The fixator system is statically determined and there is no stress b etwen the longitudinal rods. Difficult corrections like those necessar y for rotational deformities can be done without complicated joint mec hanisms.