title: A technique to protect external fixation devices.
abstract: The indications for external fixation in foot and ankle surgery are expanding and now include the use on patients with significant comorbidities. Protecting the contralateral limb from inadvertant injury is important especially in patients with diabetes where the contralateral limb is already "at risk". The authors describe a simple and inexpensive technique to protect the external fixator and the contralateral limb from potential injury.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Surgery/Amputation Prevention Center, Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA. nicholas.bevilacqua@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dankert
authors.forename: Lee C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*