title: The deformation of external fixation devices during loading.
abstract: The stability of four different types of external fixation devices was studied when they were subjected to torsion, bending and deformation under axial compression. The most stable fixation was achieved when the bone ends were in contact. The frames were weakest when the stress was applied at right angles to the plane of the frame. All four had adequate stability for fracture healing.
mesh_terms: D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices / Q000592:standards*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical