Fig. 1
From: Design and Development of a Novel 3-D Printed External Fixation Device for Fracture Stabilization
This image demonstrates a modern external fixator applied for a tibial plateau fracture around the knee. The patient has severe swelling and surgeons are unable to incise the skin because of the increased risk of soft tissue compromise and infection. Metal pins are placed in healthy bone proximal and distal to the zone of injury. The external fixator attaches to these pins with pin-to-bar clamps. These clamps secure bars that span across the zone of injury to allow swelling to subside before final fracture fixation of the tibia at a time in the future