The Small External Fixator

Basic Principles and Applications Techniques

Although the exact frame construct chosen is dictated by the soft tissue injury and fracture pattern, basic principles of technique apply to all AO/ASIF Small External Fixator frames. A simple, yet versatile frame construction technique is the Modular Technique, which allows complete freedom of pin placement and fracture reduction correction after frame assembly. Reduce the fracture manually with longitudinal traction. Percutaneous fixation or open reduction and internal fixation may be required.

small external fixator
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1. Insert Metacarpal Pins

  • Flex the metacarpal-phalangeal joint to 90° to retract the extensor hood.

  • Make a small skin incision, bluntly dissect soft tissues and push the drill sleeve to the bone.

  • Insert 2.5 mm threaded K-wires at 40°-60° in the frontal plane. The K-wires should, converge at 40°-60° in the sagittal plane; this improves fixation by lengthening the bone/pin interface.

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