Configuratlon:
Rings *6pcs
Annular Diagonal Tie *1pc
Single Joint *2pcs
M6*200 Threaded Rod *8pcs
Pin Clamp *16pcs
2-Hole Connecting Plate *1pc
Introduction
External fixation continues to be a valuable tool for fracture
management and deformity correction providing optimal stability,
protection of soft tissue reconstructions, and early
mobilization.Traditionally, external fixators have been constructed
with a high number of rings, typically composed of metal, adding
significant weight to the patient's leg and potentially impeding
gate. An all-carbon fiber external fixation system may provide
sufficient strength and stability and allow a reduction in the
number of components of an external fixator. Metal external
fixation may also obscure the visualization of key bone structures
such as fractures and the ankle or a tibiotalocalcaneal fusion on
both plain radiographs and computed tomography . An all-carbon
fiber external fixation system can help mitigate these visual
impairments on plain radiographs and CT, as well as provide some
compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging.
Clinically, carbon fiber components have been applied to
mono-lateral external fixation for many years. Mono-lateral systems
are largely considered temporary, and do not offer enhanced
weight-bearing, accurate acute or gradual multi-planar deformity
correction, or the enhanced off-loading capability of soft tissue
reconstructions. However, carbon fiber circular ring external
fixation has not been fully accepted due to surgeon unfamiliarity
and an unfounded belief of lack of construct strength. Although
carbon fiber components have been shown to possess enhanced
biomechanical profiles,yet still, external fixation devices with a
fully radiolucent carbon fiber circular rings and adjustable
variable angle struts have not come into favor in clinical
practice. Additionally, the desire for a reduced number of required
external fixator metal rings has been trending but has historically
not been recommended. In addition to a paucity of data on fully
radiolucent circular external fixation, data on constructs composed
of radiolucent rings and struts with a limited number of rings is
even further limited. We evaluated the utility of radiolucent
carbon fiber composite circular external fixation with radiolucent
adjustable variable angle struts with a reduced number of rings in
patients undergoing orthoplastic intervention in the clinical
setting of where in intercalary segmental bone defect has not
occurred.
