Abstract
The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) is an external fixator used for treating complex deformities by gradual correction with the aid of a computer program. We describe a 22-year-old woman with idiopathic excessive lateral torsion of the bilateral legs was treated surgically using the TSF. Her legs showed 10° varus and 30° lateral rotation deformities on the right side and 7° varus and 25° lateral rotation on the left side before surgery. Percutaneous osteotomy of the proximal tibia combined with resection of 2 cm of the fibula was performed at the age of 21 years on the right side and at 22 years on the left. Correction was started at 7 days after surgery on both sides. The patient suffered temporary superficial peroneal nerve palsy on the right side during correction. Correction was completed at 3 weeks after surgery on both sides. In order to prevent contact correction loss, we lengthened the bilateral tibiae by 1 cm and successively shortened after correction by 5 days. The period of TSF attachment was 14 weeks on the right side and 15 on the left. The patient was satisfied with the outcome of the correction, and her knee pain that had been present before treatment disappeared. This experience suggests that the TSF is very effective for correction of rotational deformity of the legs.
