David J. Anderson, M.D.

Professor Gavril Ilizarov, a Russian physician and surgeon who practiced from the early 1950s until his death in 1992, developed a method of harnessing and directing the body's own ability to grow new bone and soft tissue to heal an existing defect. He discovered through clinical observation that distracting bone that he had osteotomized would stimulate new bone growth in the osteotomy site. The muscles, blood vessels, and other surrounding soft tissue would lengthen and fill the defect.

In this segment, Dr. David Anderson demonstrates the Ilizarov method of external fixation for limb lengthening and angular correction of the lower extremity. Using Ilizarov hardware -- circular metal rings, telescoping rods, wires, half pins, and bolts -- he constructs and attaches an external fixator, explaining the steps and rationale as he proceeds.

Dr. Anderson believes that the general orthopedist would do well to add the Ilizarov technique to his skills, saying "The method . . . oftentimes far exceeds what we would have been able to accomplish with any other means."

References
1. Ilizarov G The tension-stress effect on the genesis and growth of tissues: Part I. The influence of stability of fixation and soft-tissue preservation Clin Orthop 1989;238:249-281
2. Ilizarov G The tension-stress effect on the genesis and growth of tissues: Part II. The influence of the rate and frequency of distraction Clin Orthop 1989;239:263-285
3. Friedman HE, Levitz S A literature review of the Ilizarov technique and some applications for treating foot pathology 1994;33(1):30-36
4. Simard S, Marchant M, Marcio G The Ilizarov procedure: limb lengthening and its implications Physical Therapy 1992;72(1):25-34

• Total Run Time: 21:05 minutes
• Catalog Number: 6014
• Publication Date: August 1995

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