This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Complications

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Most of the complications associated with external fixation can be avoided by careful management. They include:

  • non-union - from overdistraction of the fragments - the fragments are held too far apart to heal
  • delayed union - rigid fixation may shield the fracture from stress, delay healing, and cause osteoporosis - less of a problem with more modern fixators
  • pin track infection - infection may occur at the entrance of the pins into the skin and track into the bone. The skin around the pin is painful and the bone tender
  • joint stiffness and associated muscle dystrophy when used to fix intra-articular fractures

Patients may also find external fixation less convenient than other methods, for example, internal fixation, and may reject it for aesthetic reasons.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.