Predicting duration of Ilizarov frame treatment for tibial lengthening.

Abstract

To predict duration of treatment for tibial lengthening, as a function of target length increase. Review of case notes and radiographs of patients undergoing Ilizarov method of tibial distraction osteogenesis. In the 27 cases suitable for analysis, the median age was 29.9 years (13.3 to 72.6 years), and the median distraction was 3.5 cm (1.0 to 7.2 cm). A positive linear relationship (r = 0.7) was demonstrated between the distraction length (x, in cm) and the frame duration (y, in days), according to the equation y = 54x + 94. A negative hyperbolic relationship was also demonstrated between rate of bone healing and distraction length (r = 0.6), with distractions over 3.0 cm healing significantly faster than shorter ones (P < 0.03).