Indian Express
05 May, 2010
Chandigar, India

The 30-year-old was treated with `Ilizarov ring fixator' technique at PG
Both legs of 30 years old Rajesh Kumar had crushed three years ago when he made an unsuccessful attempt to cross a railway line near

He was rushed to a local doctor, who immediately amputated his left leg and recommended amputation of his right leg. But a friend suggested that he should go to PGI.

In PGI, Kumar, a resident of Daria village, was treated in the department of Orthopaedics. Doctors used the‘Ilizarov ring fixator’technique, which has enabled Kumar to stand on his right leg after two years of treatment.

“I can walk now and transfer my whole body weight on my right leg. I am a driver and have resumed work,” Kumar told Newsline.

Dr Rajendra Kumar Kanojia, assistant professor at the department, said over 100 patients who were facing imminent deformities have been treated with the technique.

“Deformities due to trauma are becoming common. We apply the technique in complicated accident cases or cases with multiple surgeries,” Dr Kanojia said.

Under this technique, a circular fixator, usually made of stainless steel, is fixed to the bone of the patient to provide structural support to the bone. The apparatus has the capacity to pull or push fractured bones closer. It is successfully used in fractures with long bone gaps. It was developed by Russian surgeon G A Ilizarov.

“The implant is so versatile that can be used in all types of fractures, dislocations, old non–united fractures, malunited fractures, those united in deformed position and deformities present since birth,” Dr M S Dhillon, head of the department of Orthopaedics, said.

He added that the treatment usually takes eight to 12 months to show results.