WorksheetsExt Fix
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
The most common indication for external fixation of the tibia in acute trauma is:
Simple closed transverse fracture
Compound (open) fracture with soft tissue injury
Pathological fracture
Stress fracture
Which of the following is an advantage of external fixation over internal fixation in open tibial fractures?
Lower infection risk in clean wounds
Allows early weight-bearing in all cases
Avoids implant placement in contaminated wound
Prevents malunion entirely
The optimal pin placement in external fixation of the tibia should:
Pass through the fracture site
Be as close to the fracture as possible
Avoid neurovascular structures and tendons
Be perpendicular to the bone only in AP view
Which of the following is a late complication of external fixation?
Pin tract infection
Osteomyelitis
Compartment syndrome
Neurovascular injury
In the tibia, the safe corridor for proximal half-pin insertion is:
Anterolateral surface
Medial surface
Anteromedial surface
Posterolateral surface
When applying a unilateral external fixator to a tibia, the ideal pin spread on each side of the fracture should be:
1–2 cm
3–4 cm
Maximum possible distance within safe zone
Equal to fracture gap length
Which pin care principle is correct to reduce infection risk?
Frequent pin removal and reinsertion
Use of antiseptic cleaning daily after 48 hours post-op
Avoid dressing changes entirely
Use of oral antibiotics for entire duration of fixation
The most common mechanical problem with external fixators in the tibia is:
Pin breakage
Frame loosening
Rod corrosion
Frame over-compression
The Ilizarov circular fixator is particularly advantageous in:
Simple diaphyseal fractures
Complex infected non-unions with bone loss
Pediatric greenstick fractures
Metaphyseal fractures only
In open tibial fractures, temporary external fixation is often converted to definitive internal fixation after:
24 hours
3–5 days
Once soft tissue condition permits (usually 1–2 weeks)
After union is achieved
