: ' Ilizarov Technology

, , .' ' ':::'}' n 1951, Professor Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov from Kurgan in the 80'/,;, :viet Union developed a circular external flxator forthe treatment of . fractures (Fig 1); Dilling the next decade, Ilizarov discovered the tech-niques 'of physeal distraction, corticotomy lengthening, bone transport, and many others. The common basis for all of these methods he called "the, theory of tension stress?" Z Through controlled, mechanically applied tension stress, Ilizarov was able to show that bone and soft tissue can be made to regenerate in a reliable and reproducible manner. Over the next ,Ai years until his death in 1992 at the age of71,he developed countless 'clinical applications .ofbone and soft tissue regeneration. In North America, experience with the technique dates back to 1986. Currently, the most common indications for the Ilizarov technique are as Iollows: (1) limb lengthening; (2) treatment of nonunlons, bone and soft.*suedefects, and osteomyelitis; (3) correction of bony deformities, joint contracture deformities, and even contour deformities of-the, limbs; (4) aitlITodesis; and (5) treatment of 'fractures anddislocatiOIis.