Ilizarov Technique for Complex Foot and Ankle Deformities PDF

Preface

I had the opportunity to learn the Ilizarov method directly from Professor Ilizarov while working at the Orthopaedic Center in Kurgan, Siberia. After finishing medical school in 1982 in Blagovescensk, in the far east of Russia, I heard about Professor Ilizarov and crossed 4500 kilometers in order to work with him. It was fascinating to study the orthopedic technique that Ilizarov had created. I was fortunate to start my job in a new orthopedic department for adults, where Ilizarov was introducing his innovative techniques.

 My chief, Dr. V 1. Mourashka, taught me general orthopedics and first introduced me to Ilizarov in the operating room. However, it was Dr. G. V. Okulov who inspired my interest in foot pathology. In Kurgan, I was able to see patients with many different kinds of foot problems and learn the biological possibilities of limbs and infinite variants of Ilizarov's method. In 1983, a new department of foot/ankle and hand pathology was created. Ilizarov worked closely with this department becausehe was particularly interested in the anatomical complexity of the foot and the positive results of treatment with his method.

The principles of many techniques in this book are based on the early experience of the surgeons at the Orthopaedic Center in Kurgan. The treatment of pediatric clubfoot was first studied by Dr. N. I. Murzikov. The treatment of foot problems in children was guided by Dr. V. I. Kalakina and in adults by Dr. G. V Okulov. The theory of arthrodesis was studied by Dr. S. Zirianov. Treatment of foot pathology in the outpatient clinic was headed by Dr. N. Kuzmin, under the director of this department, Dr. V. I. Shevzov, the successor of Ilizarov and current director of the Orthopaedic Center. These surgeons treated a large number of patients and gained a lot of experience in the construction of the apparatus and in the biomechanical principles of the movement of various parts of the foot. This group made several important technical findings.

I left the Orthopaedic Center in 1992 after Ilizarov died. I went to Italy and worked at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan for eight years. With the assistance of the director of the orthopedic clinic, Dr. L. Tessari, I had the opportunity to continue my clinical work while preparing this book and accumulating clinical experience in foot pathology. For the last two years, my practice has been based at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Milan, Italy, where my colleagues help in continuing research with the Ilizarov method.

I am very proud of my collaboration with Dr. Angelo Villa for this book. It was an unforgettable experience to write this book in Italian together with such an intelligent and sincere person. After we decided to translate the book into English, it was our great fortune to collaborate with Dr. Jason Calhoun and Kristi Overgaard. Their hard work brought the book to its present form. I would like to thank Robert Wigginton (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee) and MedicalPlastics s.r.l. (Milan, Italy) for their support of this project. Finally, I thank my wife, Olga, and daughters, Alexandra and Rita, for their understanding and patience during the many long nights and weekends it took to complete this book.