Identification of fine wire and half-pin loosening for external fixators: A systematic review

Introduction: This review article discusses the published methods of identification fine wire and half-pin loosening. The evidence is reviewed presented for clinical, radiological histological analysis to bone interface. Materials Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses compliant systematic was conducted. Studies investigating use external fixators with descriptions on measurement loosening were included in this review. Results: Eight studies eligible included. No randomized controlled trials identified. Torque most frequently used quantify interface, performed by three studies, radiographic five papers including plain film micro-computed tomography (CT) techniques. Discussion: available poor quality, a lack homogeneity quantitative data torque measurements prevalence arbitrary figures definition There no mechanical fire loosening, common clinical measure scale validated infection. Micro-CT against appears be repeatable which could applied clinically, however has only been canine studies. We recommend study compare clinically relevant standard model provide method or prediction