[Correction of lower extremity deformity by unilateral axial dynamic fixator]

Seventy-eight limb segments with various lower extremity deformity in 60 cases were treated by unilateral axial dynamic fixator (UADF). Bone healing of 77 osteotomy sites was primary union. One site was delayed union. The correction of limb axial line and recovery of joint function were excellent. The incidence of pintrack infection was 0.6%. The advantages of this device were minimum injury, simple procedures, stable fixation and reliable correction of deformity, promotion of callus formation and ossification by elastic fixation, less joint functional effect, and rare complication. The advandage of this method is that limb deformity can be adjusted to an ideal shape by using UADF. The average follow-up for 2.5 years indicated that application of UADF is an alternative method for the treatment of genu varus, genu valgus, and malunion of fracture.