Psychological Impact of External Fixator Devices on Patients with Traumatic Injury: A Scoping Review

External fixation is widely used in trauma care for managing bone and soft tissue injuries. These devices are often associated with psychological challenges and are often not followed up with sufficient psychological support for the patient. The specific psychological impact of external fixation following traumatic injuries remains underexplored. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the current literature on the psychological impact of external fixation in trauma patients. A systematic search of CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCO identified ten studies (2006–2024), from the USA, Europe, Asia, and Oceania to be included based on inclusion criteria of using the device for traumatic injuries (excluding limb lengthening procedures) and assessing psychological outcomes using validated tools. Data extracted included injury type, fixator application, survey type, and mental health outcomes. Common measures included HADS, SF-36/SF-12, PedsQL, CRIES-13, EQ-5D-5L, and patient-reported questionnaires. The findings showed that elevated psychological distress was greatest during early recovery (~1 month). Body image concerns were frequently reported with the fixator in place; however, partial recovery of mental health scores was seen by 12–24 months. These findings emphasize the need for additional research and a greater integration of mental health resources in trauma care protocols involving external fixation.