An Engineering Review of External Fixators

Overview

Journal Med Eng Phys

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
Biophysics

Date 2021 Dec 1

PMID 34848044

Citations 6

Authors

P L N Fernando

Aravinda Abeygunawardane

Pci Wijesinghe

Parakrama Dharmaratne

Pujitha Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

External Fixators are a common technique used to treat a variety of issues related to bones, predominantly due to its non-intrusive nature and versatility in terms of form and materials. While it is mainly used to treat open fractures, its other uses include limb lengthening, deformity correction, bone grafting, compression of non-unions and stabilization of dislocations. Its earliest use dates as far back as 400 BCE and has undergone significant improvements, focusing on both customization and optimization. These two aspects highlight the significance of complementing the orthopaedic requirements with engineering knowledge and its applications. Hence, this review paper aims to conduct an examination of recent developments of external fixators with a special focus on its structure, the usage of materials and biomechanical investigations using experimental and numerical techniques. The paper presents the existing level of engineering knowledge with regards to these aspects and identifies research gaps, which can improve the quality of the commonly used external fixators.

Citing Articles

Biomechanical assessment of Kirschner wires integrated with a novel external fixation device for treatment of pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture: a finite element analysis.

Lu Y, Tai C, Lee W, Wang S, Mao C, Yang W Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2024; 12:1480298.

PMID: 39703794 PMC: 11655205. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1480298.

Finite element simulations of smart fracture plates capable of cyclic shortening and lengthening: which stroke for which fracture?.

Roland M, Diebels S, Wickert K, Pohlemann T, Ganse B Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2024; 12:1420047.

PMID: 39108595 PMC: 11300273. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1420047.

In-vitro external fixation pin-site model proof of concept: A novel approach to studying wound healing in transcutaneous implants.

McCall B, Rana K, Sugden K, Junaid S Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2024; 238(4):403-411.

PMID: 38602217 PMC: 11010558. DOI: 10.1177/09544119241234154.

Circular External Fixator Removal in the Outpatient Clinic Using Regional Anaesthesia: A Pilot Study of a Novel Approach.

Williams L, Stamps G, Peak H, Singh S, Narayan B, Graham S Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr. 2023; 18(1):7-11.

PMID: 38033926 PMC: 10682553. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10080-1582.

The Influence of Sagittal Pin Angulation on the Stiffness and Pull-Out Strength of a Monolateral Fixator Construct.

Klemeit A, Weber A, Bourauel C, Welle K, Burger C, Schildberg F Bioengineering (Basel). 2023; 10(8).

PMID: 37627867 PMC: 10451265. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10080982.

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