Abstract
Objective To evaluate our self-developed static U-shape orthosis which stretches pro-gressively in a low temperature for treatment of posttraumatic equinus contracture in patients who underwent tibial ring external fixation. Methods From April 2011 to May 2014, a ring external fixator was used to treat 35 patients with tibial bone defect, infectious nonunion or osteomyelitis. They were 28 males and 7 fe-males, aged from 16 to 65 years (average, 34.0 years). The left side was affected in 16 and the right side in 19 cases. There were 27 open tibial fractures and 8 closed tibial fractures with postoperative infection. Their mild to moderate posttraumatic equinus contracture was corrected with our static U-shape orthosis which stretched progressively in a low temperature. The efficacy was evaluated by comparing dorsal flexion, plantar flexion, varus and valgus of the ankle and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores before correction, 6 months after correction, and at the last follow-up. Results The 28 patients were followed up for 10 to 25 months (average, 16.1 months) postoperation. The dorsal flexion, plantar flexion, varus and valgus of the ankle and the VAS scores at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before correction (P<0.05). The dorsal flexion, plantar flexion, varus and valgus of the ankle and the VAS scores at the last fol-low-up were also significantly improved compared with those at 6 months after correction (P<0.05). The dorsal flexion, plantar flexion, varus and valgus of the ankle and the VAS scores at 6 months after correction were also significantly improved compared with those before correction (P<0.05). Three cases did not re-spond well to the correction due to injury severity, age, or poor compliance. There were no reports of numbness or skin problems. Conclusions Our self-developed static U-shape orthosis which stretches progressively in a low temperature has proved to be a safe and effective ancillary correction of the posttraumatic equinus contracture in patients undergoing tibial ring external fixation. Key words: Orthopedic equipment; External fixators; Postoperative complications; Posttrau-matic equinus contracture
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