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Letters to the Editor to:

Scientific Articles:
Matthew B. Dobbs, Margaret M. Rich, J. Eric Gordon, Deborah A. Szymanski, and Perry L. Schoenecker
Use of an Intramedullary Rod for Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia. A Long-Term Follow-up Study
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2004; 86: 1186-1197 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read Letter to the Editor] Intramedullary Rod for Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia
Michael J Bell   (23 August 2004)

Intramedullary Rod for Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia 23 August 2004
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Michael J Bell,
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Send letter to journal:
Re: Intramedullary Rod for Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia

m.j.bell{at}sheffield.ac.uk Michael J Bell

To the Editor:

I read with interest the report of Dobbs and his colleagues regarding the use of an intramedullary rod for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. In their discussion they state that the intramedullary rod should extend into the hindfoot to stabilise the subtalar and ankle joint.

In their list of references, they have not cited the article written by my group at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital in which we reported satisfactory results by using the Sheffield Intramedullary Nail System for this condition. This rod does not cross the ankle or subtalar joints. It is our view that it is not essential for the rod to cross both the ankle and subtalar joints (1).

I would be grateful for the comments of Mr Dobbs and his colleagues and wonder why his literature review did not extend to papers published in your sister journal.

1. Fern D Bell MJ. Expanding Rods in Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia. J Bone Joint Surg Br Nov 1990.