Glossary term
EFI
The time spent wearing an external fixator per centimeter of lengthening achieved.
Updated 2026-03-301 alias1 sourceUsed across articles and safety pages
Definition
The external fixation index measures the duration of external frame wear relative to the amount of lengthening, expressed in months per centimeter. It is a key metric for comparing hybrid techniques (LON, LATN) with classical external fixation, as reducing EFI is a primary goal of integrated approaches. Lower EFI values mean less time spent with an external frame.
Aliases
external fixator index
Updated 2026-03-30
Sources
- External fixator index definition in limb lengthening comparison (PMC)academic_journalAccessed 2026-05-25
Informational only. Not medical advice.