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.
