BACKGROUND: The non-union within the femur with shortening of the limb as a consequence of trauma is an indication to choose external stabilisation as a method of treatment for that reason, that healing of the bone and surrounded soft tissues is disordered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors discuss the results of treatment of 16 patients with post-traumatic bone defect and pseudarthroses with femur shortening. The injury was located in femur shaft in 8 cases, distal epiphysis in 5 cases and proximal epiphysis in 3 cases. 11 patients were treated in one stage, 4 patients were treated in two stages and 1 was held in three stages. First operation was made for achievement of union in place of bone loss or pseudarthrosis- the second and third- for elongation and correction of the axis of the femur. The follow-up consisted of 10 patients. In most cases subjective and objective improvement was achieved. RESULTS: The bone union was reached in 15 patients and in 1 case pseudarthrosis was observed. Patients who were considered to have next procedures due to remaining femur shortening or other limb deformity didn't see necessity of following treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study indicated that Ilizarov's method can be successfully used in most patients with post-traumatic bone defect and pseudarthrosis with femur shortening. The method allows to reach the bone union, correct the deformity and lengthen the limb as well, what need mostly multi-stage treatment.
BACKGROUND: The non-union within the femur with shortening of the limb as a consequence of trauma is an indication to choose external stabilisation as a method of treatment for that reason, that healing of the bone and surrounded soft tissues is disordered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors discuss the results of treatment of 16 patients with post-traumatic bone defect and pseudarthroses with femur shortening. The injury was located in femur shaft in 8 cases, distal epiphysis in 5 cases and proximal epiphysis in 3 cases. 11 patients were treated in one stage, 4 patients were treated in two stages and 1 was held in three stages. First operation was made for achievement of union in place of bone loss or pseudarthrosis- the second and third- for elongation and correction of the axis of the femur. The follow-up consisted of 10 patients. In most cases subjective and objective improvement was achieved. RESULTS: The bone union was reached in 15 patients and in 1 case pseudarthrosis was observed. Patients who were considered to have next procedures due to remaining femur shortening or other limb deformity didn't see necessity of following treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study indicated that Ilizarov's method can be successfully used in most patients with post-traumatic bone defect and pseudarthrosis with femur shortening. The method allows to reach the bone union, correct the deformity and lengthen the limb as well, what need mostly multi-stage treatment.