Introduced in 1909 by Martin Kirschner, the wires are now widely used in orthopedics and other types of medical and veterinary surgery. They come in different sizes and are used to hold bone fragments together (pin fixation) or to provide an anchor for skeletal traction.
How painful is K wire surgery?
The removal of K-wires is usually very quick – each wire removal only takes one to two seconds. Your child may feel tugging, along with some very brief discomfort. Young patients who have had the procedure usually say 'it wasn't too painful' or 'it's OK, it's just a little sore'.
How long do K-wires stay in for?
The K wires are generally left in place for an average of 2 to 3 weeks. When the fracture is not tender to firm palpation between a thumb and index finger, the K wires can usually be removed; this is a clinically healed fracture.May 19, 2015
What is surgical wire?
Surgical wires are used to re-attach large fragments of bone. They are also used to provide additional stability in long-oblique or spiral fractures of long bones, which have already been stabilized by other means. Straight wires are called Steinmann pins.
How long does it take to remove K-wire?
The removal of K-wires is usually very quick – each wire removal only takes one to two seconds. Your child may feel tugging, along with some very brief discomfort.
Can K-wires be left in?
K-wires can be buried and left in situ until union or they can be left unburied and require removal after four weeks, with plaster immobilisation until union.
Are K-wires always removed?
Most often, K-wires are removed sometime after the bone has healed sufficiently. There are exceptions if the wire is buried deep inside a bone, but the majority of the pins are removed once healing is complete (or at least to a point where the broken bone is stable).
Do K-wires have to be removed from toes?
Internal fixation (bone screws or pins) are usually used Smart toe implant to not need to be removed. K-wires are removed after 6 weeks.
What is a cerclage wire used for?
They are usually used in conjunction with fractures repaired primarily with intramedullary pin placement. Cerclage wires can protect bone fissures, be used as a temporary fragment stabilizer but never as the only apparatus for a fracture repair.
Is cerclage wire an implant?
When cerclages function as implants, they may be used alone or together with a protecting device such as external or internal splints (such as plates, nails, stems of prosthesis or a combination of thereof).
What is cerclage wire made of?
Cerclage wires (Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland article number 291.060) are made of stainless steel delivered in a 10 m coil with a diameter of 1.25 mm.
Should cerclage wires be removed?
Implant removal may be required, as the wires may be prominent under the skin. Implant removal should not be undertaken until a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Patients should be warned that cerclage wires may break during the healing process and may need to be removed somewhat earlier.