Review Question - QID 219142

A 72-year-old female presents as a polytrauma patient after being involved in a motor vehicle rollover collision. Her only orthopedic injury is a type 3A open fracture as shown in Figure A. After initial stabilization in the trauma bay, the patient undergoes formal irrigation and debridement, external fixator application, and primary closure as seen in Figures B-C. There is difficulty maintaining an adequate reduction of the distal radius despite the placement of the external fixator with two connecting rods between the radius and metacarpal threaded pins. Which of the following would be considered the most appropriate next step in management to increase the stiffness of this external fixator system?