Management of Bone gaps of 4 to10 cm via Monitored Acute Shortening/ lengthening technique in tibia non unions through Ilizarov method.

Abstract

Tibial non-unions have always been extremely difficult to manage for surgeons. This problem becomes all the more compounded in presence of infection and/or bone loss ^[1-6] The purpose of this study is to evaluate the management of bone loss of 4 to10cm in patients presenting with tibia non unions through monitored acute shortening and subsequent lengthening using Ilizarov ring fixator METHOD: The present study was carried out in the Department of Orthopaedics, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain. Madhya Pradesh. The study was carried out between August 2019 to August 2024. A total of 15 adult patients with tibia shaft non union with bone gap of 4 - 10 cm were included in the study. All the patients were operated by the same surgeon with the help of ilizarov ring fixator method RESULT: All patients in the present study had fracture union after primary surgery. Bone gap closure and compression at the fracture ends was achieved by one week postoperatively. There was no recurrence of deep infection nor the procedure was associated with any neurovascular complications. With the use of our Monitored Acute Shortening and Lengthening method we were able to manage tibia non unions with Bone gaps ranging from 4 - 10 cm through Ilizarov ring fixator by utilization of natural bone healing potential. We were able to achieve union in all our cases without the requirement of any secondary union enhancing surgery.