Functional Outcome of Limb Operated with Ilizarov Ring Fixation Method in Patients Presenting with Tibial Aseptic Non-Unions Fractures at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51985/JBUMDC2025762Keywords:
Tibial non-union, Ilizarov fixation, functional outcomes, smoking, diabetes, vitamin D deficiencyAbstract
Objectives: This study looked at how patients with tibial non-union fractures recovered after treatment with the Ilizarov ring fixation
method at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. It also aimed to find factors that affect recovery, such as age, health conditions,
lifestyle, and vitamin levels.
Study Design and Setting: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done at the Orthopedics Department of Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. It was carried out over six months and included 137 patients with tibial non-union fractures treated
by the Ilizarov method.
Methodology: Patients between 20 and 80 years with post-traumatic tibial non-unions were included. Information on age, gender, health
conditions, and lab results was collected. Data were analyzed with different statistical tests. Recovery was rated as poor, fair, good, or
excellent.
Results: The average age of patients was 41.5 years. Smoking (p = 0.013), diabetes (p = 0.014), and vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.002)
were strongly linked to poor recovery. Age and physical activity before surgery also affected recovery (p = 0.001). Diabetes and smoking
were found to be independent predictors of poor outcomes. Patients with fractures in the middle part of the tibia (diaphyseal) had worse
results (p = 0.020).
Conclusion: The study showed that smoking, diabetes, and vitamin D deficiency make recovery harder for tibial non-union patients
treated with the Ilizarov method. Managing these risk factors can improve healing. More research, with larger studies and long-term
follow-up, is needed to confirm these results
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammed Haris, Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, Syed Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, Muhammad Fahad Javed, Subhan Jakhrani, Madiha Muzammil (Author)
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Journal of Bahria University Medical & Dental College is an open access journal and is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. which permits unrestricted non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
