You are about to leave jnjmedtech.com. By clicking to continue, you will be taken to a web site governed by their own Legal and Privacy Policies.
DePuy Synthes
What to Expect with Deformity Correction
There are a variety of surgical options available, and treatment will be dependent upon a patient’s specific condition.
What If My Surgeon Recommends Deformity Correction Surgery?
One option your surgeon may recommend is treatment with the MAXFRAME® Multi-Axial Correction System. Components of the system include circular rings, struts and pins/wires.
Deformity correction can now be accomplished via daily adjustments of the frame struts by patient and/or caregiver. For more information in regard to strut adjustments, please refer to Guidance for Adjusting Your External Fixator Struts in Recovery & Rehab.
After surgery, the external fixation device will be connected to the affected limb for a length of time prescribed by the surgeon. The treatment time is often related to the severity of bone deformity, and ability of patient to form/grow new bone.
Muscle Stiffness and Joint Contracture
During a limb lengthening or deformity correction procedure, both the bone and surrounding muscles will need to grow and stretch. Muscles that are being lengthened may get tight, stiff and sore very quickly. If a muscle gets too tight and starts to pull on the surrounding joint, the joint can become stiff. If this occurs during your treatment, your surgeon may elect to slow down or stop your treatment to allow the joint to regain motion. It is important to keep in mind that joint motion is a key component of successful treatment.
How Long Will Maxframe External Fixation System Be on My Limb?
After surgery, the bone will go through several phases:
Phase I: Latency Period: This period begins upon completion of surgery - bone healing begins and soft callus is formed.
Phase II: Distraction/Deformity Correction: During this phase, the external fixator is adjusted by the patient or caretaker, to distract the frame and generate bone growth/movement.
Phase III: Consolidation Period: Upon completion of Phase II, the limb is in the desired anatomic position, and active adjustment of the external fixator and subsequent bone movement/growth is stopped. During Phase III, the external fixator acts as a rigid construct and the bone is given time to heal.
Frame Removal
Frame removal occurs upon completion of Phase III. Frame removal is usually performed under general anesthesia as an out-patient surgical procedure, however, in certain cases, can be done in a clinic setting. After removal, your surgeon may require you to wear a brace or a cast for an additional period of time, as you continue to increase your mobility.
HELPFUL LINKS
References
No available references.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The performance of limb deformity surgery depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have this surgery. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can tell if limb deformity surgery is right for you.
111785-191115 DSUS