For injuries to the lower leg or forearm, supplemental support from soft tissue compression (STC) with a splint or brace-like system and combined with external fixation could be done effectively and quickly with a minimal of facilities in the field. Soft tissue compression (STC) in functional braces has been shown to provide rigidity and stability for most closed fractures, selected open fractures and can supplement some other forms of fracture fixation. However, soft tissue injuries are compromised in war injuries. This study was designed to evaluate if STC can provide adequate rigidity and stability either with, or without other forms of fixation techniques of simple fractures or bone defects after standardised soft tissue defects. The load was applied either axially or in bending as the bending configuration is more like conditions when positioned on a stretcher in the field.Summary
Introduction
