Outcome after foot and ankle deformity correction using circular external fixation

Background: External fixation is the method of choice for correction of chronic severe foot and ankle deformities. We report our experience and outcomes of circular external fixation. Methods: Fifty-five patients (60 feet) were treated with circular external fixation. The mean age at surgery was 36 (range 16 to 65) years. The mean followup was 4.4 (range 1 to 10) years. The mean time spent in external fixation was 2.1 (range 1 to 12) months. Results: There were six excellent, 35 good, eight fair, and six poor results, five of which had below knee amputations. All the patients who had an amputation were treated for infected nonunion of the ankle. Conclusion: Circular external fixation was found to be an effective method for treating a variety of complex foot and ankle problems. The complications were more common in patients with infected nonunions.