External Skeletal Fixation Flashcards
How is external skeletal fixation accomplished?
By using percutaneous pins or wires attached to external construct to stabilize fx fragments
How do fx heal with external fixation?
By secondary bone healing
What 3 types of fractures are external fixators used for?
Fx of appendicular skeleton
Spinal fx/luxation
Mandibular fractures
What are 4 other uses (beyond fx fixation)?
Correcting of angular limb deformities
Limb lengthening
Arthrodesis
Joint immobilization
What is arthrodesis?
Biologically fuse a joint (commonly carpus or tarsus)
What are the 2 components of an ESF construct?
Pins inserted thorugh near and far cortex
Pins secured with specialized clamps and connecting bars
What are the 4 different pin types?
Smooth pin (vs. threaded)
Positive profile
Negative profile
Center vs. end threaded
What is a positive profile pin?
Threads are outside the core diameter
What is a negative profile pin?
Threads are inside the core diameter
What is the strongest pin type?
Positive profile
What are 3 rules for placement of the transfixation pins?
Pin diameter should be no more than 25% of bone diameter
Placed percutaneous through small incisions
At least 2 pins per bone segment required
What 2 things are important to remember about placing the percutaneous pins?
Place pins in area with little soft tissue
Avoid important neurovascular structures
Although you should have 2 pins in each bone segment, what is the ideal number?
3
How far should pins be placed from the fracture and each other?
1/2 the bone diameter
How far are the clamps placed from the skin?
1cm
How close do you want the connecting rod to be?
As close as possible
What strain types can an ESF counteract?
Tension
Rotation
Bending
Axial Compression