Complications

Most of the complications associated with external fixation can be avoided by careful management. They include:

• non-union - from overdistraction of the fragments - the fragments are held too far apart to heal
• delayed union - rigid fixation may shield the fracture from stress, delay healing, and cause osteoporosis - less of a problem with more modern fixators
• pin track infection - infection may occur at the entrance of the pins into the skin and track into the bone. The skin around the pin is painful and the bone tender
• joint stiffness and associated muscle dystrophy when used to fix intra-articular fractures

Patients may also find external fixation less convenient than other methods, for example, internal fixation, and may reject it for aesthetic reasons.