External fixators – Perfect solution to external bone fractures
External fixators are used for
treating the external bone injuries and fixing the bones in place. This type of fixation is used to stabilize
bone. The surgery also stabilizes soft tissues. In external fixation process,
the surgeon inserts pins through the skin. The pins are inserted into the bone
where it is held tightly by an external frame. As a patient you
should select an external fixators India device carefully after
considering its varied aspects.
The surgery procedure
External fixator is thus a frame
that stabilizes the broken bones firmly at a proper place and position. The
surgeon makes small incisions into the skin and muscle and then inserts metal
pins or screws. The surgeon attaches the pins and screws to a bar outside of
the skin. To secure the bone in place, the surgeon may use metal screws, rods,
pins, or plates.
But first, the surgeon digs holes
into a skin area that is free of injury. This skin area should be around the
injured bones. Then, wires or special bolts are inserted into the hole. These bolts are then jointed outside the body
using a rod or a curved metal piece. Special ball-and-socket joints are also
used for supporting the frame. The
surgeon makes sure that the bolts that pierce the skin are properly cleaned.
The external fixator procedure is
performed under general anesthesia in an operating room. When removing the
external frame, there is generally no need for anesthesia when the patient
visits the surgeon again. HEMC Ortho make and supply all the required tools and devices
for the surgery.
When to use external fixators
Typically,
external fixation is used to treat open fractures. The surgeon may also opt for
these fixators as a temporary solution. However, that is not the only use.
When there is a case for limb lengthening, external
fixators India are often seen as a solution. People having short limbs
can go for this treatment. For instance, those who want to lengthen their legs
can find solution in this treatment. Many people have their thigh bone [femur]
cut diagonally in a surgical operation. They also can lengthen such thighs. The
surgery also is useful for reshaping of bones.
Under the procedure for lengthening of the limbs,
the surgeon places external fixator pins or wires on each side of the limb.
Then the external metal apparatus is used for pushing the two bones apart very
slowly in millimeter each day.
In fact, there are plenty of uses of external
fixators. We can say that the surgery procedure is highly useful in many bone
fracture or bone reshaping cases. Here are some of them.
·
Stabilization of open fractures
·
Correction of misalignment of bones
·
Correction of length discrepancies
·
Stabilization of soft tissue
·
Pelvic ring disruptions
·
Pediatric fractures
·
Open fracture having sever soft tissue
disruption
·
Unstable fractures
·
Limb lengthening
·
Infection or nonunion related fractured
Healing time
A patient may have to keep an external fixator in
place for many weeks, and if necessary, for many months. However, most
fractures take only 6 to 12 weeks to heal. It is the complicated fractures that
take many months before healing completely.
Comments
Post a Comment