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Use of External Fixation in Primary Management of Fractures

Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology

  • 21 Accesses

Abstract

The science of management of fractures has evolved over the last few centuries with use of various immobilisation techniques including plaster casts, traction assemblies and founding doctrines of AO/ASIF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) or the Association of the Study of Internal Fixation (ASIF) established in 1958. Application of the AO philosophy built on the four pillars of adequate Fracture reduction, appropriate Fracture fixation, preservation of blood supply and early mobilisation have been refined with increasing understanding of significance of soft-tissue envelope, emerging technology, and orthopaedic implants. Internal fixation of bone fractures by plate osteosynthesis or intra-medullary nailing or combination both provide adequate stabilisation environment across a wide spectrum of orthopaedic injuries. However, the concept of external fixation has advanced fracture management strategies especially in fractures with concomitant soft tissue damage, severe open fractures, or the multiply injured patient to allow systemic stabilisation along with appropriate care of the limb injury.

External fixation is a method of achieving fracture stabilisation by percutaneous insertion of pins or wires under tension and held together by external framework of bars or rings.

This chapter highlights the history and evolution of the concept of External Fixator system in the primary management of fractures with a special emphasis on metallurgy, implant designs and future technology in the construction of frames.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    Prashanth Naik

  2. Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, Southport, UK

    Lara Elizabeth McMillan & Karthikeyan. P. Iyengar

  3. Limb Reconstruction Service, Liverpool University Hospitals, Liverpool, UK

    Badri Narayan

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  1. Prashanth Naik
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  2. Lara Elizabeth McMillan
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  3. Badri Narayan
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  4. Karthikeyan. P. Iyengar
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Surgery, NH Narayana Superspeciality and Multispeciality Hospitals, Howrah, West Bengal, India

    Arindam Banerjee

  2. Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Peter Biberthaler

  3. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India

    Saseendar Shanmugasundaram

Section Editor information

  1. Orthopaedic Surgery, NH Narayana Superspeciality and Multispeciality Hospitals, Howrah, West Bengal, India

    Arindam Banerjee

  2. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India

    Saseendar Shanmugasundaram

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Naik, P., McMillan, L.E., Narayan, B., Iyengar, K.P. (2023). Use of External Fixation in Primary Management of Fractures. In: Banerjee, A., Biberthaler, P., Shanmugasundaram, S. (eds) Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6278-5_18-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6278-5_18-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-6278-5

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  1. Latest

    Use of External Fixation in Primary Management of Fractures
    Published:
    04 April 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6278-5_18-2

  2. Original

    Use of External Fixation in Primary Management of Fractures
    Published:
    11 March 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6278-5_18-1

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