A cheap, disposable external fixator for comminuted phalangeal fractures.

Reduction of a severely comminuted fracture of a long bone in the hand can be difficult to hold. An external fixator can be the best method of maintaining satisfactory reduction in such fractures. A small, disposable external fixator is described, made from a syringe barrel and K-wires. It allows accurate reduction with minimal soft tissue trauma and is easy to construct and apply. It allows early mobilization of the digit and is inexpensive.