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Deformity Correction in orthopaedic surgery addresses bone abnormalities caused by trauma, congenital disorders, or illness. It involves precise planning and execution to achieve the best outcomes. Skilled orthopaedic surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to correct deformities, significantly improving patients' quality of life and mobility.
Deformity Correction aims to straighten bones that are abnormally twisted or bowed, restoring normal alignment and function to affected limbs, such as the arm, leg, or foot. There are two primary methods for correcting deformities:
Acute Correction: This involves straightening the bone during a single surgical procedure.
Gradual Correction: This method involves slowly adjusting the bone alignment over weeks or months, often using external fixation devices.
The choice between acute and gradual correction depends on the patient's specific condition and the nature of the deformity. The treating physician will determine the most appropriate approach for each case. If you are looking for the best Deformity Correction Services In Dhakuria, visit Manipal Hospitals.
Common conditions include scoliosis, kyphosis, limb length discrepancies, bowed legs (genu varum), knock knees (genu valgum), clubfoot, and congenital or acquired deformities due to trauma, infection, or disease.
You will be given anaesthesia before the procedure to make sure you are pain-free. This may be regional (numbness in the treated area) or general (you'll be sleeping).
The surgeon makes an incision over the area of the deformity and carefully exposes the affected bone or joint.
If necessary, an osteotomy (cutting of the bone) is performed. This step allows the surgeon to reorient the bone or joint into the correct alignment.
The bone or joint is then realigned to the planned position. The surgeon may use internal fixation devices, such as plates, screws, rods, or external fixators, to stabilise the corrected structure and maintain proper alignment during healing.
In some cases, surrounding soft tissues (such as muscles, tendons, or ligaments) may also need to be adjusted to accommodate the new alignment.
The incision is closed using sutures or staples, and a sterile dressing is placed over it.
Your doctor will plan the correction using X-rays or MRIs.
The surgeon will choose a specialised device, often called an external fixator, which will be used to gradually adjust the alignment of the bone or joint.
You’ll receive anaesthesia to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure.
The surgeon will make small incisions and attach the external fixator to the bone. This device consists of rods or frames connected to the bone with pins or wires. The device allows for controlled, gradual adjustments to the bone's position.
After the device is in place, you'll typically make small adjustments to the external fixator each day. These adjustments are guided by your surgeon and are designed to slowly move the bone into the desired position. This phase can last several weeks or months, depending on the amount of correction needed.
You'll have regular appointments to ensure everything is progressing well.
Once in the correct position, the device stays in place while the bone heals.
After healing, the device is removed in a minor procedure.
Physical therapy may be necessary to strengthen the muscles, improve the range of motion, and aid in recovery. This helps to ensure that the corrected area functions properly.
If patients are irregular in attending their therapy sessions and regular home exercises, their muscle strength may be affected. In such cases, doctors may tell them to discontinue the treatment. In addition to this, nerve problems and muscle contracture may also affect the process of the treatment.
Treatments can vary based on the severity and location of the deformity. They may include:
Bracing or orthotics
Physical therapy
Surgical interventions such as osteotomy (cutting and realigning bone), limb lengthening, or spinal fusion.
The patient's age, the degree of the deformity, and the method of treatment used all affect how long the repair takes. Deformity repair can often result in benefits that are permanent or long-lasting.
Acute Correction: This typically involves a single surgery, which can last anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the deformity and the surgical method employed.
Gradual Correction: The initial surgery to place an external fixator or other devices may take 2 to 4 hours. The actual correction of the deformity, however, occurs gradually for weeks to months, with regular adjustments made to the device.
The success rate of deformity correction surgery is generally high, with many patients experiencing significant improvements in function, pain relief, and quality of life. The outcome largely depends on the nature of the deformity, the patient's health, and adherence to post-operative care plans.
The length of recovery varies based on the type and complexity of the operation, but it usually involves immobilisation for a while before physical therapy helps the patient restore function, strength, and flexibility. It could take many months for a full recovery.
There are risks associated with any surgical operation, including the possibility of infection, haemorrhage, nerve injury, and corrective failure. Nevertheless, with meticulous preoperative preparation and expert surgical technique, these risks are reduced.
No, surgery is not always required. Many deformities can be managed with non-surgical treatments like bracing, physical therapy, or lifestyle modifications. Surgery is typically considered when non-surgical methods are ineffective or if the deformity significantly impacts function or quality of life.
Yes, deformity correction is often performed on children, especially in cases of congenital deformities or those developing during growth. Early intervention can be crucial in preventing complications and promoting normal growth and development.
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