USE OF MODIFIED ILIZAROV OLIVE WIRES AS PUSHING WIRES

We describe a technique for the use of modified Ilizarov olive wires t o stabilize bone fragments or segments or to act as a ''motor'' to mov e individual bone fragments. This technique was used in twelve patient s with severe articular or comminuted open fractures referred to the u nit for reconstruction with the Ilizarov frame. Six patients had commi nuted plafond fractures of the tibia, and three had tibial plateau fra ctures. In these cases the articular fragments were reduced and stabil ized until union. The modified pushing olive wire is a valuable adjunc t to the Ilizarov frame.