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Functional rehabilitation with a foot plate modification for circular external fixation
James A Blair1, Johnny G Owens, Joey Saucedo
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. james.blair@amedd.army.mil
Foot & Ankle International
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Customized foot plates on external fixators enable advanced weight-bearing physical therapy for lower-extremity limb salvage patients. This modification allows participation in complex exercises during healing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Customized foot plates attached to ankle-spanning circular external fixators offer unique rehabilitation potential.
- This modification facilitates advanced weight-bearing physical therapy for complex lower-extremity limb salvage cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the rehabilitation capabilities enabled by this specific external fixator modification.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series (Level IV) reviewing surgical logs and radiographs of 11 lower-extremity limb salvage patients (Feb 2008-Dec 2010).
- Patients treated with ankle-spanning circular external fixator and customized foot plate within a 'Return To Run' pathway.
- Medical records analyzed to document performed physical therapy exercises.
Main Results:
- All 11 patients achieved full weight-bearing on foot plates, performing squats and using exercise machines.
- Six patients ambulated unassisted; all navigated stairs.
- Advanced exercises like shuttle jumps and single-leg balance were achievable for a majority, with one patient running.
Conclusions:
- Ankle-spanning circular external fixators with customized foot plates allow patients to engage in advanced weight-bearing physical therapy.
- This approach supports osseous and soft-tissue healing during the rehabilitation process for limb salvage patients.
