Getting through recovery with an external fixator after a crash
An orthopedic trauma surgeon and an orthopedic nurse explain pin care and moving safely
An external fixator is a frame that sits outside the body. It connects to the bone with pins. It can hold a badly broken bone in place while the bone and nearby soft tissue heal. The frame can look scary, but every part has a job. An orthopedic trauma surgeon sets the plan for healing and how much weight the limb can take. An orthopedic nurse shows you how to protect and check the pin sites. [1]
Ask for a hands on pin care lesson
Before you go home, ask which pins you need to clean. Find out what solution and supplies to use and how often to clean. Have the nurse watch you or a helper go through the steps. Don’t switch to another cleanser or scrub harder because a site looks crusty. Keep a written supply list and a contact number in the spot where you do pin care. [1]
Check your skin and the frame every day
Look each day for redness, warmth, swelling or pain that is getting worse. Watch for thick or bad smelling drainage and for fever. Report any new numbness or tingling. A pin that moves or feels loose also needs a call. Never tighten or adjust the frame yourself. Tell the team which pin is the problem so they can give you useful advice. [1]
Ask how to get dressed, sleep, bathe and move without snagging the frame on clothes or furniture. Follow your surgeon’s weight bearing rule even if the frame feels solid. A therapist can help you plan safe transfers and walking. If the frame makes it impossible to get through your home or use the bathroom, say so before discharge. [1, 2]
Stay on top of checkups
Ask when imaging tests or a clinic visit will check how the bone is lining up and healing. Your team may change your pin care or activity instructions along the way. Keep each appointment, even if the frame looks the same. Report right away any new pattern of severe pain or a hand or foot that turns cold or changes color. The same applies to loss of movement or feeling past the fracture. [1, 2]
Ask about your frame and pins
- Exactly how do I clean the pins, and what’s my weight bearing rule?
- Which changes at a pin site mean I should call today?
- When will the frame and the fracture be checked again?
Set up a clean spot for pin care
Follow your team’s instructions to set up one clean area for pin care. Before your first pin cleaning at home, check that your supplies and the after hours number are in place. [1]
Sources and further reading
This is a general guide based on orthopedic trauma surgery and nursing. Clean the pins with the solution and on the schedule your surgeon set. Fever, pin pain that gets worse, drainage or loose hardware calls for prompt advice.
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