The treatment of pseudarthrosis using the Ilizarov method

This paper presents a method for treating pseudarthrosis in the lower limbs using the Illizarov method. 20 patients were treated, including 3 cases with infected false joints. Bone union was attained in cases with infected false joints. Bone union was attained in cases of pseudarthrosis without infection within an average time of 8 months. In cases of infected false joints the time required to achieve bone union was 12 months. On the basis of the authors' observations the method described here proved to be suitable for the treatment of disturbed bone union. The value of this method is further increased by the slow, steady correction of axial disorders in the limb accompanied by simultaneous equalization. Bone union was achieved in 94,2% of the cases studied.