Outcome of ilizarov fixator in tibial non-union

To evaluate the results of non-union of tibia treated with Ilizarov fixator.

The case series was conducted at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from January 2012 to April 2015, and comprised consecutive patients with non-union of the tibia. Patients of either gender, with complex non-union of the tibia from the age of 18 to 65 years were included, while patients with intra-articular fractures, vascular injury, smokers and steroid users were excluded. Outcome of the treatment was graded by using the scoring system of Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov.

There were 21 patients with a mean age of 40±13.89 years (range: 18-65 years). There were 7(33.3%) female and 14(66.6%) male patients. There were 14(66.6%) patients who had one previous surgery, 5(23.8%) had 2 surgeries and 2(9.5%) had 3. Bone results were excellent in 12(57.1%) patients, good in 6(28.6%) and fair in 3(14.3%). Functional results were excellent in 7(33.3%) patients, good in 9(42.9%), fair in 4(19%) and poor in 1(4.8%).

Ilizarov fixator gave good to excellent results in tibialnon-union, by eradicating the infection, filling the defect with bone transport, correcting the deformity and the limb length discrepancy.