EXTERNAL FIXATION IN COMMINUTED UPPER FEMORAL FRACTURES

External fixation of comminuted upper femoral fractures has wt been st udied widely. The minority of such fractures which cannot be fixed int ernally due to clinical and anatomical problems are generally treated in traction. Early external fixators were not sufficiently robust to h old these fractures and pin site problems are more common in femoral f ixation than in the tibia. A study was undertaken including all patien ts with comminuted upper femoral fractures who were too unwell or othe rwise unsuitable for internal fixation. The long-term results were com parable, if not superior to traction, and patient comfort and mobiliza tion were much improved.