Biomaterial Database

Results of treatment using the Hoffmann external fixator for fractures of the tibial diaphysis. 1982

R B Kimmel

External fixation via the Hoffmann apparatus was employed as primary treatment in 19 patients and as secondary treatment in eight patients. These were severe fractures: almost all were open, comminution was present in 66%, 50% were classified as Grade III, and 50% had other orthopedic injuries. The majority of patients had delayed unions. Overall, three nonunions (13%) resulted, yet the malunion rate was 39%. Forty-five per cent of patients required a bone graft for eventual union. Fifty per cent had drainage from their pin tracts yet only two required debridement and all eventually resolved. Almost one half of the patients had neurologic impairment, primarily because of severe compartment syndromes (all in open fractures, all treated with fasciotomies) and four major vascular injuries. The most common neurologic sequela was footdrop, found in eight patients. The Hoffmann fixator is valuable, but only in severe injuries, as complications do occur which might be avoided with simpler methods of treatment.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011182	Postoperative Care	The period of care beginning when the patient is removed from surgery and aimed at meeting the patient's psychological and physical needs directly after surgery. (From Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed)	Care, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedures,Procedures, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedure,Procedure, Postoperative
D005592	Fracture Fixation	The use of metallic devices inserted into or through bone to hold a fracture in a set position and alignment while it heals.	Skeletal Fixation,Fracture Reduction,Fixation, Fracture,Fixation, Skeletal,Fixations, Fracture,Fixations, Skeletal,Fracture Fixations,Fracture Reductions,Reduction, Fracture,Reductions, Fracture,Skeletal Fixations
D005597	Fractures, Open	Fractures in which there is an external wound communicating with the break of the bone.	Fractures, Compound,Compound Fracture,Compound Fractures,Fracture, Compound,Fracture, Open,Open Fracture,Open Fractures
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013978	Tibial Fractures	Fractures of the TIBIA.	Segond Fracture,Tillaux Fracture,Toddler's Fracture,Fracture, Segond,Fracture, Tibial,Fracture, Tillaux,Fracture, Toddler's,Fractures, Tibial,Tibial Fracture,Toddler Fracture,Toddlers Fracture
D026741	Physical Therapy Modalities	Therapeutic modalities frequently used in PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALTY by PHYSICAL THERAPISTS or physiotherapists to promote, maintain, or restore the physical and physiological well-being of an individual.	Physical Therapy,Physiotherapy (Techniques),Group Physiotherapy,Neurological Physiotherapy,Neurophysiotherapy,Physical Therapy Techniques,Group Physiotherapies,Modalities, Physical Therapy,Modality, Physical Therapy,Physical Therapies,Physical Therapy Modality,Physical Therapy Technique,Physiotherapies (Techniques),Physiotherapies, Group,Physiotherapy, Group,Physiotherapy, Neurological,Techniques, Physical Therapy,Therapy, Physical