The small AO external fixator in hand surgery.

At our institution, the small AO external fixator has been utilized on the wrist and hand on over 200 patients since 1979. Disregarding fractures of the distal radius, the main indications were fracture dislocations of the wrist, Kienböck's disease, combined injuries with bone defects of the wrist and metacarpals, and basilar fractures of the thumb metacarpal. In this paper, five well-established applications will be described with respect to treatment concept, indication, technique, and personal results. Furthermore, recommendations and reservations are listed to help in the prevention of the most frequent complications.