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What is a Fixator?

Emma Lloyd
Emma Lloyd

In medicine, a fixator is a device which provides support and stability to a particular part of the body when it is in motion. Fixators can be either internal or external. Internal fixation uses screws and other small devices to support healing bones. An external fixator is a device which is used to provide stability and support for fractured bones. They are used in cases where a cast will not provide sufficient support while the bone is healing.

This term is also used in anatomy, where a similar principle applies. Many muscles in the body can act as fixators, preventing unnecessary movement of muscles when other parts of the body are moving. When someone performs a bicep curl, for example, the bicep muscle is the prime mover which regulates the action, while the back, abdominal, shoulder, and wrist muscles act as fixators, supporting the body during the movement.

Long bones, like the tibia and fibula, are those bones whose length exceeds their width.
Long bones, like the tibia and fibula, are those bones whose length exceeds their width.

Most simple fractures can be healed with the use of a cast, which immobilizes the fractured bone and provides the support it needs to heal correctly. Internal or external bone fixation is used as a treatment for complicated fractures which cannot heal through the use of a cast. These devices are fitted during a surgical procedure that sets the fractured bones in place before applying an external or internal fixator.

Longer bones like the femur often require a fixator if they are fractured.
Longer bones like the femur often require a fixator if they are fractured.

Internal bone fixation is performed via a procedure called open reduction internal fixation. For this procedure, metal screws, plates, or rods are used to hold fractured bones in place so that they can heal correctly. Severe fractures may require the use of an intermedullary rod, a long thin metal rod which is inserted into a long bone such as a tibia or femur. The rod helps promote healing by sharing the weight-bearing load of the bone as it heals.

Bone screws may be used to stabilize a fracture.
Bone screws may be used to stabilize a fracture.

External bone fixation tends to be used as a temporary fracture treatment, or may be used in cases where internal fixation is not possible. To fit an external fixator device, holes are first drilled into undamaged bone surrounding the location of the fracture. Metal pins are inserted into the holes, and the external fixation device is then fitted onto the pins and adjusted to provide the necessary support for the fractured bone. Most of the fixation device is located outside the body, with only the metal pins coming into contact with the bone.

Most simple fractures can be healed with the use of a cast.
Most simple fractures can be healed with the use of a cast.

Placement of both types of fixator is carried out by an orthopedic surgeon, with the patient under general anesthetic. Internal fixators, particularly intermedullary rods, are often left in place permanently, to provide support to a bone which may have been weakened by a fracture. External fixators are removed once a bone has finished healing; depending on the severity of the fracture this will take at least six weeks, and may take as long as several months.

Discussion Comments

Telsyst

Sports medicine has helped this field of medicine greatly. In sports, getting a player back in the game is of the utmost importance. There is a vested interest in getting this done in the best way possible.

Many injuries in sports generally happen to the legs and feet of a player, from running and cutting while running. There is always a chance of a player tangling feet with another player or having a player fall on them. From all these different types of injuries doctors have had time to look at different types of treatment. Since the player's main goal is to return to playing form, the doctors need to restore as much natural ability as possible.

A doctor needs to weigh the long term needs of the player. Any medical advancement that hastens healing with as much ability restoration as possible is going to have interest by the sporting community.

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    • Long bones, like the tibia and fibula, are those bones whose length exceeds their width.
      By: andreaxt
      Long bones, like the tibia and fibula, are those bones whose length exceeds their width.
    • Longer bones like the femur often require a fixator if they are fractured.
      By: maya2008
      Longer bones like the femur often require a fixator if they are fractured.
    • Bone screws may be used to stabilize a fracture.
      By: Thomas Hecker
      Bone screws may be used to stabilize a fracture.
    • Most simple fractures can be healed with the use of a cast.
      By: Fotoluminate LLC
      Most simple fractures can be healed with the use of a cast.
    • Fixator muscles stabilize the rest of the body during a bicep curl.
      By: Donald Joski
      Fixator muscles stabilize the rest of the body during a bicep curl.
    • A severe fracture often requires the use of internal fixators such as  plates, rods and screws to realign the bone.
      By: amawasri
      A severe fracture often requires the use of internal fixators such as plates, rods and screws to realign the bone.