External fixation. Its use in podiatric surgery.

Abstract

Rigid fixation of osseous fragments with the ability to supply additional compression or distraction at will is achieved only by external fixation. Of course, the treatment of nonunions, infections, fixation of osteotomies, fusion of joints, and lengthening of bone can be accomplished by other satisfactory means with and without fixation. External fixation is only one method of fixation. From this list the practitioner can choose the method of fixation best suited to the contemplated procedure and the one with which the surgeon feels most comfortable. However, a good surgeon will have prepared alternative methods of fixation if, in fact, the first and preferable method of fixation fails. It would be wonderful if our plans became a reality; quite often they do not and this is what one must prepare for. External fixation in many of the cases presented was not the original form of fixation to be used; in a few cases it had not been seriously considered. Fortunately, however, it was considered and allowed a difficult situation to be remedied with relative ease. Although elaboration of the categories in which external fixation was employed has been brief, the numerous presentations lend themselves to further investigation into external fixation.