Limb reconstruction surgery is the field of trauma and orthopaedic surgery that deals with the management of deformities of upper and lower limbs, reconstruction of limb defects and limb equalization techniques. The aim of limb reconstruction surgery is to achieve maximum function form a deformed limb.
A range of modern surgical techniques are used to perform limb reconstruction surgery, including:
- Conventional plate fixation
- Locking plate fixation
- Intramedullary Nailing
- Circular fine wire external fixators
- Bone Transport and limb lengthening
- Angular and/or rotational correction
- Joint Arthrodesis or reconstruction
The techniques used are customized for each individual case and often involve a combination of above techniques.
Common deformities treated include:
- Non-unions: Fractures that have failed to heal.
- Mal-unions: Fractures that have healed in the wrong position.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: Arthritis of a joint following a fracture or trauma.
- Bone loss: Fractures that have lost bone at the time of accident or subsequent surgery.
- Bone infection (Osteomyelitis): infected bone commonly associated near a site of previous injury or surgery.