External Fixators; External Structure Used To Support Surgical Rods That Are Screwed Into Bones

 

External Fixators

External fixators are medical devices used to keep fractured bones stable and in alignment. In an external fixator, screws or metal pins are placed into the bone through small incisions in the skin and muscle. The screws and pins are attached to a bar outside the skin. External fixators are can be adjusted externally to make sure that the bones remain in an optimal position during the healing process. They provide fracture fixation based on the principle of splinting. External fixators are often used in severe traumatic injuries because they allow for rapid stabilization by allowing access to soft tissues that may also need to be treated.

This is especially important when there is significant damage to the skin, nerves, muscles, or blood vessels. There are three basic types of external fixators; hybrid fixator, ring fixator, and standard uniplanar fixator. They are designed to stabilize bone and soft tissues, and stabilize infected Ligamentotaxis, arthrodesis, non-unions, etc. of the bones. Moreover, external fixators are used to restore limb length, correct bone misalignment, and protect soft tissues after bone injury. They help to ensure ideal neutralization, extension, or compression of bone placement while allowing movement of nearby joints.

External fixators not only aid in the proper placement of bones but also help reduce muscle atrophy and edema (swelling that is caused by fluid trapped in your body's tissues) due to total immobilization of a limb. Thus, with the increasing incidence of fractures around the world, the demand for external fixators is also increasing with a rapid pace, especially in the United States. The risk of a fracture increases with age and is greatest in women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, around 54 million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Around one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis (a bone disease). This in turn is expected to increase the demand for external fixators worldwide, especially in the U.S.


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