The analysis report of surgical treatment of limb deformity and disability: 35,075 cases

Objective To investigate the incidence characteristics and corrective strategies of various limb deformities treated by Qinsihe orthopaedic team in the past 40 years, so as to provide a large sample for understanding the causes, types and treatment methods of limb deformity and disability in China. Method A total of 35,075 cases were treated by Qinsihe orthopaedic team from May 1978 to December 2018. The age, gender, deformity characteristics, etiological and pathological composition, regional distribution and surgical methods of the patients were statistically analyzed. Results There were 20,458 males and 14,617 females. The age was 1 year to 82 years old, average 20.5 years. The majority of subjects were from 11 to 25 years old or 19,363 cases (63 %). There were 33,259 cases (94.82 %) of interventions on lower extremity. The geographical distribution of patients covers all the provinces, municipalities directly under the central government, autonomous regions in China and 12 foreign countries. There were 202 etiologies involving neurological, heredity, metabolism, traumatic sequelae, congenital, vascular, lymphoid, skin, endocrine, iatrogenic and so on. The top six deformities were due to poliomyelitis sequelae, cerebral palsy, traumatic sequelae, spondylolysis sequelae, genu varus&valgus, congenital talipes equinovarus. There were 280 kinds of surgical methods, the majority of which were Achilles tendon lengthening, supracondylar osteotomy, subtalar joint arthrodesis, tibiofibular osteotomy, metatarsal aponeurosis and Achilles tendon replacement of peroneal longus muscle, etc. 8,702 cases were treated by orthopedic surgery combined with external fixation, including the Ilizarov fixator in 3,696 cases and hybrid fixator in 5,006 cases. Conclusion Qinsihe orthopaedic database with a history of 40 years is the largest one of limb deformity and disability in China. It reflects the etiology, type, population characteristics, surgical methods and strategy of limb disability and deformity, which can be treated by orthopaedic surgery. The data is a great treasure for orthopaedics and disability medicine in China and worldwide, and its important academic value and historical significance need to be further excavated and deep studied in future.