Hexapod External Fixators in the Treatment of Axial and Rotation Deformities and Limb Length Discrepancies

Abstract

Limb deformity corrective surgery has exceedingly benefited by the introduction of hexapod systems. Although the principles of deformity correction planning still remain the same as with the Ilizarov system, the corrective phase is made easier thanks to the computer-assisted simultaneous correction of deformity in all space planes. In this chapter, a new CORA-centric hexapod system named “Orthex” is described. With due respect to other existing hexapod systems, the “Orthex” fixator is credited by the authors to be more friendly, intuitive, and sophisticated in the software-based analysis of deformity, spatial location of the frame relative to the bone, and deformity correction planning. Indeed, the “Orthex” also allows the user to plan the deformity correction in consecutive phases (in “series” correction) rather than a simultaneous correction of the deformity and overcomes some of the limitations of other hexapod systems such as: frame mounting rules, need to import external data and measurements, and brand-specific nomenclature. Practical applications with clinical case descriptions are reported in the present chapter.