How to Live a Normal Life with an External Fixator on the Body?

Injuries come without any invitation and you never know in what situation they could lead you. Medical science has become so advanced that we have now solutions to numerous severe health conditions that were difficult to treat decades ago. 

If we talk about severe orthopedic injuries that cannot be managed even with conventional open reduction and internal fixation, there is an orthopaedic implant known as an external fixator system that can be used. 

An external fixator system is nothing but a stabilizing frame that is formed around the limb while keeping broken bone fragments in their correct anatomy. It is not easy to perform day-to-day activities with this implant in place. Here, we are going to discuss some of the tips that’ll help you live a normal life as possible with an external fixator in place. Let us see what those tips are.

Living with an External Fixator System in Place

It is undoubtedly tiring to carry a metal frame around your limb wherever you go. Besides this, it is also not easy to do so plus, one needs to be extra careful to avoid any damage to the implant. Let us see how to move around safely with the implant and perform routine activities:

Carrying Goods

While you are already carrying a frame around your limb, it is advised to be extra careful while holding the objects. Avoid carrying heavy items that can put unnecessary pressure on the external fixator. While one should not worry if they are holding light goods like food items from or to the kitchen and so on. 

Bathing

With an external fixator in place, you can shower easily without any problems but, make sure to thoroughly wipe water using a clean towel from the pins and other areas of the fixator afterward. Besides this, it is advised not to use any perfumed soap or shower gels plus, also avoid submerging the frame in water. 

Getting Dressed

When it comes to getting dressed with a big or small frame around your limbs, certain adjustments need to be made. If the frame is small, you can easily wear loose or oversized clothes. While on the other hand, if the frame is big, you might require special clothes that have Velcro on their edges so that they can easily be wrapped around. Such types of clothes are required to be stitched.  

Sleeping

While sleeping, you can put a couple of pillows below the frame to ensure a comfortable sleeping position if the external fixator is there in the lower limb. To avoid any damage to your mattress or bedsheet due to the frame, you can use a mattress protector. 

Having Sex

An external fixator system should not prevent you from maintaining a good and healthy relationship with your partner. You can have sex normally with the external fixator system in place but, all you have to do is try a different position so that you can prevent any injury to your partner with the frame and avoid any damage to the frame. 

For the content source, contact Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd., an experienced orthopedic device manufacturer in India. Siora is an Indian FDA-approved company that is proud to have around 130 national and international distributors and orthopedic surgeons. The company manages a huge product inventory including a variety of trauma implants and instruments including PFNA Intramedullary Interlocking Nail, locking bone plate, and more.