External fixation for comminuted phalangeal fractures. A biomechanical cadaver study.

The mechanical rigidity obtained by external fixation in a comminuted phalangeal fracture model was assessed and the results compared with two other types of internal fixation commonly used (lateral plate and crossed Kirschner wires) in a biomechanical cadaver study. Each fixation technique was tested in apex palmar bending, compression and torsion. The results showed that lateral plating provided the best rigidity in apex palmar bending and compression and that external fixation and Kirschner wires showed the same mechanical properties. For the torque test, external fixation provided the best rigidity.