Traumatic injury to the extremities often results in severe fractures of one or more bones. There can be a single fracture (break) in the bone, or the bone may be shattered into numerous pieces (comminuted).  In addition, the fracture may be closed or open - meaning there is injury to the surrounding soft tissues and the bones are visible.

There are a number of options for stabilizing a fracture available to the medical team. 

• External fixation involves placing pins in the bones on each side of the fracture from outside of the injured extremity (the pin is exposed through the skin). The pins are then connected with a rod that is outside the extremity as well.

X-ray of external fixator spanning bone defect in the tibia (lower leg bone)

Taylor 

• Internal fixation is used when the fracture can be realigned and a plate with screws or an intramedullary rod can hold the bones in alignment.

Plate and screws for a fracture of the thigh bone near the knee	X-ray showing an intramedullary rod in   the thigh bone (femur)

• A ring fixator or Taylor Spatial Frame is another option for fracture stabilization.  This device is often used if there is a deformity to correct or if there is bone loss that isn't address with allograft bone or vascularized bone flaps.

X-ray of a ring fixator on the lower leg bone.