Principles Of External Fixation

Question 0

Most common areas for ex fix

Answer 0

Tibia
Ankle
Knee
Distal radius
Pelvis

Question 1

What is external fixation?

Answer 1

External method of skeletal immobilization

Per cutaneous fixation

Mobile traction

Temporary and definitive measures

Question 2

Roles of ex fix

Answer 2

Intraoperative assistance
Emergent/provisional care
Definitive treatment

Question 3

Examples of Intraoperative assistance

Answer 3

Provides distraction for comminuted fractures, I’m nail, ligamentotaxis, small bone fracture work

Question 4

Examples of emergent care

Answer 4

Neuro vascular injury, open book pelvic fractures, poly trauma

Question 5

Examples of provisional care

Answer 5

Staged
Closed fx with soft tissue injury–allows for tissues to heal first
Open fractures- avoids further vascular insult

Question 6

Examples of definitive treatment

Answer 6

Soft tissue injury
Children’s fractures
Arthrodesis/osteotomy

Question 7

Components of ex fix

Answer 7

Clamps
Bars and rings
Half pins and wires

Question 8

What can circular exfx help?

Answer 8

Fracture control
Angular deformity correction
Joint contractures
Segmental bone loss (trifocals/bifocal technique)
Maintenance if limb length
Limb/foot salvage

Question 9

What is the first step of applying a frame?

Answer 9

Insertion of half pins

Question 10

What is radial preload?

Answer 10

Constant major and tapered minor diameters of HA pins

0.5mm taper and pin tip only

Requires less torque to insert then conical pin

Optimized pin-bone interface

Can be over inserted and backed out with losing prox interface

Question 11

Clamps can attach to what?

Answer 11

Pins and bars

Question 12

What is the material of our bars?

Answer 12

Carbon fiber

Question 13

Black black clamp

Answer 13

Bar to bar

Question 14

Gold to black clamp

Answer 14

Pin to bar

Question 15

A 5mm pin is how much more stiff than a 4mm pin?

Answer 15

Twice and stiff

Question 16

What is the proper way to match a pin to the bone type?

Answer 16

Pin hole should be less than 30% of the bone diameter

Femur tibia should be 5-6mm
Hand foot should be 3-4mm

Question 17

10.5 mm bar is how much more stiff than an 8mm bar

Answer 17

Three times

Question 18

What are the two types of pin placement?

Answer 18

Fixed and independent

Question 19

When do you use a fixed pin?

Answer 19

Determined by clamp or fixator
Restricts pin placement within bone
Simple fast and works most the time

Question 20

When to use independent pins?

Answer 20

Unrestricted pin placement
Can work around specific injuries
Put pins where they need to go
Optimizes versatility with respect to frame configuration