Results of the Ilizarov Technique for Treatment of Infected Non-Union of the Tibia

Abstract

          Infected non-union of the tibias were treated with resection of the necrotic bone and distraction osteogenesis in 11 patients, are ranged from 1 to 58 years old. Non-union, infection, shortening and deformity were all addressed simultaneously. All patients had perfomed bone lengthening by using bone transportation technique in which a bone fragment is moved toward the site of non-union, leaving a defect that is bridged by distraction osteogenesis. The average length of the bone defect was 3.9 centimeters.

          The infection was eradicated in all patients before the fixator was removed. The mean duration of treatment by fixator was 8.2 months. The mean time to union was 13 months. The mean duration of  follow-up was 16 months. The bone results were excellent in 9 patients and good in 2. The functional results were excellent in 1 patients, good in 8 and fair in 2.