An external fixator assembly comprising: • a first clamp assembly (120, 320, 420), wherein the first clamp assembly (120, 320, 420) comprises a first upper member (124', 324', 424') and a first lower member (122, 321', 421') operably connected to one another, wherein the first upper member (124', 324', 424') and the first lower member (122, 321', 421') form a first slot in opposition to a second slot; • a second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450), wherein the second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450) comprises a second upper member (122', 324, 424) and a second lower member (122',321, 421) operably connected to one another, wherein the second upper member (122', 324, 424) and the second lower member (122',321, 421) form a third slot in opposition to a pin or rod free zone; • a first pin or rod received within the first slot; • a second pin or rod received within the second slot; • a third pin or rod received within the third slot; and • a shaft (110, 310, 410) that extends through the first clamp assembly (120, 420) and the second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450), wherein the shaft (110, 310, 410) has a distal end and a proximal end extending away from the distal end, wherein the distal end includes a radially extending flange and at least one flat surface extending proximally of the flange, wherein the proximal end has at least one external thread for engaging a ratchet assembly (170, 470) to secure the two clamp assemblies (120, 320, 420, 150, 350, 450) onto the shaft, • wherein the first clamp assembly (120, 420) includes an axially extending passage (126, 134) through which the shaft (110, 310, 410) extends, and • wherein the axially extending passage (126, 134) includes at least one internal flat surface configured to engage with the at least one flat surface of the shaft (110, 310, 410) to prevent the first clamp assembly (120, 420) from rotating with respect to the shaft (110, 410). • a first clamp assembly (120, 320, 420), wherein the first clamp assembly (120, 320, 420) comprises a first upper member (124', 324', 424') and a first lower member (122, 321', 421') operably connected to one another, wherein the first upper member (124', 324', 424') and the first lower member (122, 321', 421') form a first slot in opposition to a second slot; • a second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450), wherein the second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450) comprises a second upper member (122', 324, 424) and a second lower member (122',321, 421) operably connected to one another, wherein the second upper member (122', 324, 424) and the second lower member (122',321, 421) form a third slot in opposition to a pin or rod free zone; • a first pin or rod received within the first slot; • a second pin or rod received within the second slot; • a third pin or rod received within the third slot; and • a shaft (110, 310, 410) that extends through the first clamp assembly (120, 420) and the second clamp assembly (150, 350, 450), wherein the shaft (110, 310, 410) has a distal end and a proximal end extending away from the distal end, • wherein the first clamp assembly (120, 420) includes an axially extending passage (126, 134) through which the shaft (110, 310, 410) extends, and • wherein the axially extending passage (126, 134) includes at least one internal flat surface configured to engage with the at least one flat surface of the shaft (110, 310, 410) to prevent the first clamp assembly (120, 420) from rotating with respect to the shaft (110, 410).