The Ilizarov technique in joint contractures and dislocations.

This study was designed to evaluate the results of treatment of joint contractures (6 patients) and dislocations (2 cases) with an Ilizarov device. Six patients with restricting joint contractures were successfully treated and after gradual scar expansion they achieved a significant improvement in their range of motion. One patient with elbow instability after closed dislocation achieved 5 degrees to 130 degrees of motion, while one patient with an open dislocation achieved a range of motion from 15 degrees to 100 degrees. These results suggest that a hinged Ilizarov external fixation frame can be a useful tool to restore function in such complex problems.