BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic supramalleolar deformities and malunions of ankle fusion require mostly a multiplanar correction. In cases of severe soft tissue damage, external fixation and gradual correction is a definite treatment alternative. METHOD: Between 2003 and 2007 a correction of supramalleolar deformities was performed in 9 patients with the Taylor spatial frame external fixator. The mean age was 30 years (min. 12, max. 68). There were 6 patients with deformities after malunion of supramalleolar fractures and 3 patients with malunion after ankle fusion. The mean angular deformity was 30 degrees and 5 patients had a rotational malposition of 13.6 degrees (min. 5 degrees, max. 25 degrees). 5 patients needed also lengthening (min. 10 mm, max. 40 mm) of the post-traumatic deformed tibia. The mean time of the follow-up examination was 23 months (min. 12, max. 41). RESULTS: Anatomic correction could be achieved in all patients. The average correction time was 36 days (min. 10, max. 82) with an average time period of 163 days (min. 130, max. 218) until the fixator was removed. The healing index of the leg lengthening cases was 77 d/cm. There were 2 pin-tract infections, 1 prolongated callus formation and 1 insufficient callus formation. CONCLUSION: In cases of post-traumatic supramalleolar deformities with poor soft tissue and bone quality the Taylor spatial frame is a useful tool. Angular, axial, translational and rotatory deformities are corrected simultaneously without complex and time-consuming fixator reconstructions.
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic supramalleolar deformities and malunions of ankle fusion require mostly a multiplanar correction. In cases of severe soft tissue damage, external fixation and gradual correction is a definite treatment alternative. METHOD: Between 2003 and 2007 a correction of supramalleolar deformities was performed in 9 patients with the Taylor spatial frame external fixator. The mean age was 30 years (min. 12, max. 68). There were 6 patients with deformities after malunion of supramalleolar fractures and 3 patients with malunion after ankle fusion. The mean angular deformity was 30 degrees and 5 patients had a rotational malposition of 13.6 degrees (min. 5 degrees, max. 25 degrees). 5 patients needed also lengthening (min. 10 mm, max. 40 mm) of the post-traumatic deformed tibia. The mean time of the follow-up examination was 23 months (min. 12, max. 41). RESULTS: Anatomic correction could be achieved in all patients. The average correction time was 36 days (min. 10, max. 82) with an average time period of 163 days (min. 130, max. 218) until the fixator was removed. The healing index of the leg lengthening cases was 77 d/cm. There were 2 pin-tract infections, 1 prolongated callus formation and 1 insufficient callus formation. CONCLUSION: In cases of post-traumatic supramalleolar deformities with poor soft tissue and bone quality the Taylor spatial frame is a useful tool. Angular, axial, translational and rotatory deformities are corrected simultaneously without complex and time-consuming fixator reconstructions.