Custom made Ilizarov ring fixator for fracture care in morbidly obese patients

Abstract

Background

Fracture care in obese patients is becoming an everyday problem because the prevalence of obesity in European countries has tripled since the last 20 years.

Patients and method

With the use of a custom made Ilizarov ring fixator with a ring diameter of 300 to 340 mm, fracture stabilization in three morbidly obese patients was performed. The patients’ body mass index (BMI) ranged from 59 to 89. There were one proximal tibia fracture and two pilon fractures. The tibia fracture was stabilized with a 340-mm frame and the pilon fractures were stabilized by primary ankle arthrodesis with 300-mm frames. Primary ankle arthrodesis was performed because polyneuropathy and Charcot arthropathy were present in one patient and in the other patient because time from injury to referral was too long for reconstruction.

Results

All patients were able to fully weight bear. Frame removal after fracture correction and consolidation was performed only in the patient with the tibial fracture (patient BMI 89). The other patients died during the treatment because of decompensated comorbidities.

Conclusion

The Ilizarov technique is a good fixation modality for stabilizing fractures of the lower limb in morbidly obese patients. Associated medical comorbidities are the limitations of successful fracture care.