External Fixators for the Distal Radius

by David L. Nelson, MD

(last updated 1/8/06)

This page will attempt to be a complete listing of any external fixator currently sold anywhere in the world. If your company has not yet submitted material for inclusion in this page, or any information is incorrect, please contact the Webmaster. The name of the product is a hyperlink to an illustration of the device, the name of the company is a hyperlink to their website, at the location of their external fixator.

Product Name	Company	Features	Limitations	Weight	Price
Unilateral Frames
Pennig II	Orthofix	Highly adaptable system	Should not be used in conjunction with early motion
RadioLucent* (see footnote at bottom)	Orthofix	Radiolucent frame, low profile
WristJack	Hand Biomechanics Lab	Adjustment by means of gears	Cost, size
Distal Radius Fixator	Synthes	Simple unilateral frame, clamps hold two Schantz screws at a time, unlike the original design, which only held one.	Schantz screws are self-drilling (predrilled, self-tapping screws are best)
Stableloc	Acumed	Some adjustment by gears
Multilateral Frames
Hoffman II Compact	Howmedica	Very nice for non-bridging; has solved some of the adjustability problems of the original small Hoffman	Not very rigid if applied in its most adjustable form, not very adjustable if placed in its most rigid form
Small external fixator	Synthes	Versatile, re-usable	Not very rigid if applied in its most adjustable form, not very adjustable if placed in its most rigid form

*Financial Disclosure: the RadioLucent Fixator by Orthofix was designed by the author, Dr. Nelson.