FUNCTION OF STIFF JOINTS MAY BE RESTORED BY ILIZAROV JOINT DISTRACTION

Three patients with joint stiffness caused by trauma or infection are reported. The involved joints are the interphalangeal joint of the thu mb, patellofemoral joint, and ankle joint, As an alternative for the i ndicated arthrodesis in these patients, treatment with articulating jo int distraction was performed, By use of adapted Ilizarov external rin g fixators, gradual distraction was applied to loosen the joint, follo wed after loosening by a period of exercise during distraction, In all three patients this experimental approach led to a decrease in pain a nd improvement of joint function that persisted for at least 2 gears a fter treatment. With the use of Ilizarov joint distraction, joint func tion in cases of joint stiffness may be restored, and the need for an arthrodesis can be postponed.