TREATMENT OF DEFORMITY SECONDARY TO METABOLIC BONE-DISEASE WITH THE ILIZAROV TECHNIQUE

Eighteen limb segments in eight patients with lower limb deformities s econdary to metabolic bone disease underwent correction using the Iiiz arov technique. Eleven femora and seven tibiae were treated for deform ities with magnitudes of 12 degrees to 58 degrees. Total treatment tim e averaged 12 weeks from application to removal of the fixator. With o ne exception, correction was performed at the rate of 0.5 mm daily in two increments. Complications were limited to several pin-tract infect ions and mild translational deformity in two patients. Healing index a veraged approximately twice that seen in pediatric femoral lengthening and was 25% greater than for patients undergoing tibial lengthening. The lack of implants requiring removal, modularity, and reasonable tre atment time make this technique an attractive alternative to conventio nal osteotomy for management of limb-length deformity associated with metabolic bone disease.