The timing of when to remove a circular frame is crucial; early removal results in refracture or deformity, while late removal increases the patient morbidity and delay in return to work. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a staged reloading protocol. We report the incidence of mechanical failure following both single-stage and two stage reloading protocols and analyze the associated risk factors. We identified consecutive patients from our departmental database. Both trauma and elective cases were included, of all ages, frame types, and pathologies who underwent circular frame treatment. Our protocol is either a single-stage or two-stage process implemented by defunctioning the frame, in order to progressively increase the weightbearing load through the bone, and promote full loading prior to frame removal. Before progression, through the process we monitor patients for any increase in pain and assess radiographs for deformity or refracture.Aims
Methods
Fracture and deformity after frame removal is a known risk in 9–14.5% of patients after circular frame treatment. The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of our staged protocol for frame removal and risk factors for the protocol failure. We identified 299 consecutive patients who underwent circular frame fixation for fracture or deformity correction in our unit from our prospective database. All 247 patients who followed the staged frame removal protocol were included in this study. We reviewed the electronic clinical record and radiographs of each patient to record demographics, risk factors for treatment failure and outcome following frame removal. We defined failure of the protocol as a re-fracture or change in bony alignment within 12 weeks of frame removal. Results underwent statistical analysis using Chi square analysis.Introduction
Methods and materials
