An external fixation system and method for realigning, compressing or distracting broken bones has a planar ring element with an adjustable device having a body releasably mounted on the ring element. The coating is deposited through a chemical vapor deposition process using a pre-determined hydrocarbon-hydrogen gas mixture suitable for nucleating diamond on the carbide particles and carbon nanotubes on the metallic binder. Liquid injected through the inlet port on the second plug passes through an internal passageway formed in the instrument and exits the instrument through the portion that extends past the first plug.