Results of Application of External Fixation with Different Types of Fixators

Introduction Extra-focal or external fixation is the method of fracture fixation through the healthy part of the bone using pins or wires. Objective The aim was to determine which external splints (Ortofix, Mitkovic, Charnley and Ilizarov) had the best biomechanical properties in primary stabilization of spiral, transverse and commutative bone fractures. Methods To determine the investigation methodology of biomechanical characteristics of the external fixator we used mathematical and computer simulator (software), juvidur physical model and clinical examination. Results Values of advancing fragments in millimetres obtained by the study of mathematical and computer simulator (software): Charnley - 0.080 mm, Mitkovic M 20 - 0.785 mm, Ilizarov - 2.245 mm and Ortofix - 1.400 mm. In testing the juvidur model the following values were obtained: the external fixator Mitkovic M20 - 1.380 mm, Ortofix - 1.470 mm, Ilizarov - 2.410 mm, and Charnley - 2.510 mm. Clinical research of biomechanical characteristics of the effect of vertical force yielded the following results: Mitkovic M20 - 0.89 mm, Ortofix - 0.14 mm, Charnley - 0.80 mm and Ilizarov - 1.23 mm. Conclusion When determining the total number of the stability test splints under the effect of vertical force (compression) and force effect in antero-posterior, later-lateral plane of cross, spiral and comminuted long bone fractures, the best unified biomechanical stability was shown by the following external fixators: firstly, Mitkovic M20 (0.93mm), secondly, Charnley fixator (1.14 mm), thirdly, Ortofix (1.22 mm), and fourthly, Ilizarov (1.60 mm).