You've probably seen a doctor insert a metal frame into your body after a major surgery on your arm or leg after breaking a bone. You may have even had one inserted into your body. This is what we call an External Fixator, or "Ex Fix" for short, in medicine. While it may seem a bit scary and uncomfortable at first, it actually helps your broken bones to heal quickly and properly by keeping them in place. So today, let's talk about what it is, how you can go about your day with it, and how to take care of it.
What is this External Fixator?
Simply put, this is a metal frame that is attached to the outside of your body. The pins in this frame go
through your skin and attach it to the bone. The main purpose of this is to keep the broken bone fragments in one place without moving around, and to create the environment they need to heal properly. This device can be used for a bone anywhere in your leg, arm, or foot. This device usually consists of several parts. Let's see what they are.
| Part of the device | A simple explanation |
|---|
| Large, solid pins | These are the main rods that are attached directly to your bone. |
| Thin, smooth wires | Sometimes these thin wires are used to go from one side of the bone to the other. |
| Rings | The entire frame is held stable by the circular parts around this frame. |
| Long straight rails | These can be seen in fixators that are usually applied to areas such as the thigh or arm. |
| Clickers | These are rotated to gradually bring the bone into the correct position. You will have to handle these at home. |
Do you need to adjust this at home?
Yes, this is very important. In order for your bones to heal properly, this frame will need to be adjusted very slightly once or several times a day. Don't worry, the doctor or nursing staff will show you how to do this before you leave the hospital. You will be given
a special wrench for this. With that wrench, you will receive clear instructions on how far to turn the clickers on the frame and how many times a day.
It is extremely important to follow these instructions. Only if you make these changes according to the schedule your doctor recommends will your bones heal properly.
If you accidentally forget to do this,
never try to make up for the missed number of times by doing a lot of twisting at once. If that happens, call your doctor immediately for advice. Also, if you experience unbearable pain while adjusting this, inform your doctor immediately.
How to live a normal life with an external fixator?
It's a bit of a challenge to get through the day with this metal frame. But don't let that stop you from staying home and feeling down. Staying active, spending time with friends and family, and doing things you enjoy can all go a long way toward your speedy recovery. Here are some tips to help make your day a little easier:
- When going on a trip: Plan a little before you go out. Think about things like whether you can easily get to where you're going and whether you'll need help.
- When doing housework: Whenever possible, sit in a chair and work. Just think, if you can sit while cooking, ironing, or washing your face, it would be a great convenience.
- When bathing: Keep a shower chair in the bathroom. Or sit on the floor and shower. Avoid getting in a bathtub during this time. If you are worried about the chair scratching the floor, place an old towel or non-slip mat on it.
- While sleeping: When you sleep, protect the arm or leg with this fixator by placing pillows around it. This will prevent other parts of your body from rubbing against it and causing it to become irritated.
- When dressing: This frame can make it difficult to wear regular clothes. It is easier to wear slightly larger clothes, shorts, and skirts. Some pants have zippers along the legs, and those are also very comfortable.
- During sexual intercourse:You need to be careful not to damage or scratch your partner's skin with this metal frame. It's a good idea to cover the frame with a soft cloth.
- Avoid swimming: If you are swimming in public swimming pools, seas, rivers, lakes, etc., completely stop during this time. Keeping the pin sites clean is essential to prevent infection.
How do you keep the Fixator clean?
This is what you need to pay the most attention to. Because the rods of this device pierce your skin and go right to the bone, there is a high risk of infections entering the body from those places. Therefore, you need to clean these places thoroughly
every day . When you come home from the hospital, these places will be covered with gauze. When you go to the first clinic, the gauze will be removed. After that, you need to clean them daily as instructed.
| Steps | What to do |
|---|
| 1. Preparation | First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. |
| 2. Making soapy water | Mix some water and antibacterial soap in a clean container. |
| 3. Preparing the medicine | In another clean container, add a liquid like povidone-iodine that the doctor recommended. |
| 4. First cleaning | Take a new cotton bud, soak it in soapy water, and clean the area around each pin site thoroughly. Carefully remove any crusts or dead skin that may be stuck to the pin. Discard the cotton bud that was used for one area. |
| 5. Second cleaning | Now take another new cotton bud, soak it in the medicine, and clean the area again. Use a new cotton bud for each pin site. |
| 6. Let it dry. | Leave the areas exposed to air for a few minutes to dry. |
It is very important to never use a cotton bud that has been used to clean one pin site to clean another pin site. Also, never re-soak a used cotton bud in soapy water or medicine. Doing so will transfer germs from one site to another.
What to do if you get an infection?
No matter how good you are at taking care of yourself, sometimes minor infections can occur. This is very common and can be treated. So don't worry too much. Signs of an infection may include:
- A new pain
- Redness around the pin site
- A yellow, thick discharge
- An unusual bad odor
If you see a sign like this, talk to your doctor. He or she may apply a povidone-iodine wrap to the area, or give you an antibiotic to take.
Some symptoms of infection are a little more serious. If you see these, it's better not to wait.
- Having a fever higher than 101.3 Fahrenheit (38.5 Celsius) .
- Excessive swelling around the pin sites.
- Feeling as if the skin is filled with fluid .
- A very bad odor .
These could be signs of a more serious infection. If this happens, you may need to be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics, or you may need to have a minor operation to clean out the pin sites.
So if you see any serious signs like this, or if you feel anything strange or uncomfortable about this fixator, call your doctor immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- An external fixator is a very important medical device that helps broken bones heal properly. Don't be afraid of it.
- Just as the doctor says, do the daily adjustment (rotation) exactly according to the prescribed schedule.
- Preventing infection is the most important thing. So clean the pin sites thoroughly every day. Don't use something that was used in one place on another.
- If you have serious symptoms such as fever, excessive swelling, or foul-smelling discharge, seek medical advice immediately.
- Although living with this may be challenging at first, stay strong and continue to do your daily activities as much as possible. That is also very important for your speedy recovery.
External Fixator, fracture, pin site care, infection, surgery, ex fix
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