What is Ilizarov's apparatus?

In 1951, a revolutionary invention was invented in traumatology and orthopedics, the Ilizarov apparatus. So far it has been, no other method in bone traumatology has received such widespread use as the invention of Gabriel Abramovich Ilizarov.

The Ilizarov apparatus is represented by two metal rings and two pairs of spokes. An adaptation is made to the metaphyseal part of the bone with the help of crossing metal spokes of various diameters.

In the fifties of the twentieth century, many scientists tried to create a device for transosseous osteosynthesis, but only one was created - Ilizarov's apparatus. Complications of the installation of the device were minimized, since this device provided a quality immobilization of the damaged limb.

Providing partial functioning of the injured site (restoring its supporting and other functions), this technique allowed using the limb musculature during the treatment, which not only accelerated the rehabilitation process, but also caused the acceleration of the process of fracture cleavage. This feature is due to the fact that the functioning of the damaged limb improves blood flow not only to her muscular tissues, but also to bone formations. Enhanced blood supply to the bone callus promotes the fastest union of fragments and healing of tissues.

A distinctive feature of Ilizarov's apparatus is its multidimensionality and universality. Thanks to modifications and various additional adaptations, this technique of osteosynthesis has found wide application in modern medical practice.

Providing qualitative fixation of the damaged limb, Ilizarov's apparatus allows to create a minimal (variable) diastase of fragments and tissues to stimulate tissue growth. This feature allowed us to apply it not only for the purpose of treating fractures, but also for restoring other anatomical disorders (most often with different lengths of limbs).

The colossal work of Ilizarov and a whole team of scientists and doctors working on the creation of the apparatus was embodied in an excellent invention, which has no analogues to date. This device most often today uses a section of medicine, such as "traumatology." Ilizarov's apparatus absorbed all the best that could be used in osteosynthesis.

Today this device has received some modifications. So, carried out by a number of scientists, studies have shown that the fixing characteristics of the apparatus are primarily due to the spokes, and are determined not only by their rigidity (diameter and tension force on the support rings), but also by the angle of the cross. And the greatest rigidity is observed when the spokes intersect at an angle of ninety degrees. In addition, to reduce the trauma of the bone tissue of the metaphyses (with the transmission of the spokes), different points (trihedral and spear-shaped) were created. In order to increase the possible load on the Ilizarov apparatus, special areas were created at the places of the direct passage of the spokes through the bone tissue , which increase the supporting surface of the device. Such thrust pads are basically located in the central part of the spokes. The role of thrust pads can perform all kinds of bends of the spoke, tapping on it and flattening the latter.

Modern research has made it possible to create spokes with a special coating-sputtering, which stimulates the synthetic activity of bone tissue.

To date, the Ilizarov apparatus is an ideal tool for repositioning bone fragments and, perhaps, the only device of its kind for percutaneous osteosynthesis.