In
orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics ( alternative spelling orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal ...
, ligamentotaxis is a technique of using continuous longitudinal force (distraction) in order to bring fracture fragments more closely together.
It is used as a temporary measure in the management of a
broken bone.
Ligamentotaxis is the basis for the use of the external fixator in unstable distal long bone fractures. By applying longitudinal distraction force, the
soft tissue
Soft tissue connective tissue, connects and surrounds or supports internal organs and bones, and includes muscle, tendons, ligaments, Adipose tissue, fat, fibrous tissue, Lymphatic vessel, lymph and blood vessels, fasciae, and synovial membranes.� ...
s surrounding the fracture help mould the bony fragments and facilitate reduction.
References
Further reading
*B.K. Chen, et al., Singapore Medical J., 1999, Vol 40(06)
Orthopedic surgical procedures
{{surgery-stub