Abstract
Circular external fixation is a useful treatment option for the correction of complex
trauma, extremity deformity, osteomyelitis, and reconstruction of the foot and ankle.
The goal of the present study was to determine the degrees of bolt rotation required
to create enough wire tension to cause structural failure of the lateral calcaneal
wall when stressed with both olive and smooth wires in a cadaveric model. Ten fresh,
thawed, below-the-knee specimens were tested at the San Diego Cadaveric Academic Research
Symposium. The mean bolt rotation required to pull an olive wire through the lateral
wall of the calcaneus was 79.8° ± 32.81°, and the mean bolt rotation required to “walk”
a skinny wire (narrow diameter) and create 1 mm of cortical bone failure was 50.5°
± 30.91°. The results of the present investigation further define and elucidate the
appropriate “Russian tensioning” technique applicable for external fixation of the
calcaneus using olive or skinny wires in the case of fracture repair or compression
arthrodesis.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 18, 2012
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, provided supplies for the cadaveric study.
Conflict of Interest: Christopher F. Hyer, DPM, FACFAS, is a paid consultant for Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
