By: 1 February 2008

The Staffordshire Orthopaedic Reduction Machine, stφrm, provides an innovative approach to the treatment of unstable lower limb fractures. The basis for the product concept and design is to separate the reduction of the fracture from the fixation. stφrm is used in the operating theatre and provides the surgeon with a simple but innovative approach to reducing difficult unstable tibial fractures prior to fixation. stφrm provides precise and controllable axial traction, a simple lock wheel system allows large and fine adjustments to correct rotation and the unique translation arms correct angulation and translation.

In trials carried out in the University Hospital of North Staffordshire the use of stφrm was shown to shorten operating times by almost 50%. Firstly, by applying a simple but controlled method to reducing the fracture, the manipulation time to achieve an anatomical reduction averaged just 11 minutes and secondly by securely maintaining the reduction during the application of the chosen method of fixation both internal and external.

stφrm is used to reduce unstable fractures throughout the tibia including the plateau, shaft, pilon and malleolar closed, open comminuted or multi-segmental. As well as being used to reduce fresh fractures stφrm is also used to successfully reduce fractures where treatment has been delayed, in the example shown of the displaced diaphyseal fracture stφrm was used at three weeks post injury.