Abstract
The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) is a new external fixator that consists of two rings and six struts. Compared with the Ilizarov external fixator, the TSF allows easy correction of lower limb deformities, and since 2005, we have used the TSF for this purpose. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the TSF for the treatment of deformities in 3 children (4 tibiae). There were 2 male patients and 1 female patient (aged 12, 13 and 16 years respectively), and their diagnoses were hypophosphatemic rickets, idiopathic external tibial torsion, and secondary genu recurvatum (with avascular necrosis of the femoral head after slipped capital femoral epiphysis). The length gain averaged 2.5cm (range 2.0 to 3.1cm), the mean external fixation index was 53.0 days/cm (range 41.0 to 67.5 days/cm), and the mean corrected angle was 31.5 degrees (range 20 to 40 degrees). Complications included one fracture of the lengthening site and one case of transient peroneal nerve palsy. There were no cases of pin tract infection. In all cases, we achieved accurate corrections as planned before surgery. We believe that the TSF is a very useful and accurate external fixator for correction of lower limb deformities, especially complex multiplanar deformities.
