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