The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) is an external fixator used by podiatric and orthopaedic surgeons to treat complex fractures and bone deformities. The medical device shares a number of components and features of the Ilizarov apparatus

Ilizarov apparatus

The Ilizarov apparatus is named after the orthopedic surgeon Gavriil Abramovich Ilizarov from the Soviet Union, who pioneered the technique. It is used in surgical procedures to lengthen or reshape limb bones; to treat complex and/or open bone fractures; and in cases of infected non-unions of bones...

. The Taylor Spatial Frame is a hexapod device based on a Stewart platform

Stewart platform

A Stewart platform is a type of parallel robot that incorporates six prismatic actuators, commonly hydraulic jacks. These actuators are mounted in pairs to the mechanism's base, crossing over to three mounting points on a top plate. Devices placed on the top plate can be moved in the six degrees...

, and was invented by an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Charles Taylor

Charles Taylor

Charles McArthur Ghankay Taylor was the 22nd President of Liberia, serving from 2 August 1997 until his resignation on 11 August 2003....

. The device consists of two aluminum rings connected by six strut

Strut

A strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie...

s. Each strut can be independently lengthened or shortened. Connected to a bone by wires or half pins, the attached bone can be manipulated in six axes (anterior/posterior, varus

Varus

-People:*Publius Attius Varus , Roman governor of Africa.*Publius Quinctilius Varus , politician of the Roman Empire.*Quinctilius Varus -People:*Publius Attius Varus (died 17 March 45 BCE), Roman governor of Africa.*Publius Quinctilius Varus (46 BCE - 9 CE), politician of the Roman...

/valgus, lengthen/shorten.) Angular, translational, rotational, and length deformities can all be corrected simultaneously with the TSF.

The TSF is used in both adults and children. It is used for the treatment of acute fracture

Fracture

A fracture is the separation of an object or material into two, or more, pieces under the action of stress.The word fracture is often applied to bones of living creatures , or to crystals or crystalline materials, such as gemstones or metal...

s, mal-unions, non-unions and congenital deformities. It can be used on both the upper and lower limbs. Specialised foot rings are also available for the treatment of complex foot deformities.

Once the fixator is attached to the bone, the deformity is characterised by studying the postoperative x-ray

X-ray

X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...

s. The angular

Angular

The angular is a large bone in the lower jaw of amphibians and reptiles , which is connected to all other lower jaw bones: the dentary , the splenial, the suprangular, and the articular...

, translational, rotational, and length deformity values are then entered into specialised software online, along with parameters such as the ring size and initial strut lengths. The software then produces a "prescription" of strut changes that the patient can follow. The struts are adjusted daily by the patient until the correct alignment is achieved. Correction of the bone deformity can typically take 3–4 weeks. Once the deformity has been corrected, the frame is then left on the leg till the bone heals. This often takes 3–6 months, depending on the nature and degree of deformity.

See also

• Distraction osteogenesis
  Distraction osteogenesis
  Distraction osteogenesis, also called callus distraction, callotasis and osteodistraction is a surgical process used to reconstruct skeletal deformities and lengthen the long bones of the body...
  
  
• Bone fracture
  Bone fracture
  A bone fracture is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone...
  
  
• Trauma surgery
  Trauma surgery
  Trauma surgery is a surgical specialty involved in the invasive treatment of physical injuries, typically in an emergency setting. Trauma surgeons generally complete residency training in general surgery and often fellowship training in trauma or surgical critical care...
  
  
• Traumatology
  Traumatology
  Traumatology is the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or violence to a person, and the surgical therapy and repair of the damage. Traumatology is a branch of medicine. It is often considered a subset of surgery and in countries without the specialty of trauma surgery it is most...
  
  
• External fixation
  External Fixation
  External fixation is a surgical treatment used to set bone fractures in which a cast would not allow proper alignment of the fracture.-Method:...
  
  

External links

• Dr. Dror Paley Informational site (Ortho conditions section includes video of limb lengthening methods including Taylor Spatial Frame) .
• Information on Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF), design, geometry, advantages and limitations
• Official site
• Manufacturer's site
• Octopod Circular External Fixator site
• Adam Frame Official site