Hippocrates (460-370 BC), the ancient Greek physician known as the "Father of Modern Medicine", believed that the human body has the power to heal itself. He believed that the natural healing force within each person is the greatest force in getting well.
Alessandro Codivilla first described distraction osteogenesis (DO) in 1905 as a surgical technique to lengthen limbs that were abnormally short due to injury, disease, or malformation. DO is a bone regeneration process that involves gradually separating bone segments to create a callus, which is then stretched to form new bone.
The "Law of Tension-Stress" refers to a biological principle stating that applying slow, gradual tension (pulling force) to living tissues can stimulate their growth and regeneration by activating cellular processes, essentially promoting the development of new tissue where tension is applied.
Ilizarov discovered that transverse distraction has strong potential for vascular regeneration. His method, which uses an external fixator to gently pull on tissue, promotes the growth of new blood vessels, nerves, and muscle. This technique proved effective for treating Buerger's disease and chronic limb ischemia. By stimulating neovascularization the method restores circulation, improves tissue viability, and can prevent amputation.
TTT surgery is an extension of the Ilizarov technique. Based on the law of tension-stress, its primary function is to rebuild microcirculation which can relieve ischemic symptoms and promote wound healing. TTT technique is mainly used in the treatment of chronic ischemic diseases of the lower extremities.
By 2019, Dr. Qikai Hua had successfully treated over 500 cases of diabetic foot gangrene using the TTT technique. The remarkable effects of this approach—improving local blood supply and promoting tissue repair—have been consistently verified in the treatment of ischemic diseases.
With its introduction to the Western world, TTT brings a breakthrough for ischemic foot ulcers, showcasing the same proven efficacy observed in China.
