A technique for correction of equinus contracture using a wire fixator and elastic tension

Abstract

Equinus contracture often is a complication of trauma, burns, or neurologic deficit. Many patients with contractures secondary to trauma or burns have poor soft tissue, which makes invasive correction a less appealing option. The Ilizarov external fixator has been used as a less invasive attempt to correct equinus contracture. We describe our "dynamic" technique and present a clinical patient series using a variation of the unconstrained Ilizarov technique, which uses elastic bands rather than threaded rods to supply the corrective force.