How long do K wires stay in finger?
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.
Do K wires break?
Intraoperative K-wire breakage has a reported rate of 0.1%. In our case, there was no obvious cause of breakage and the patient denied postoperative trauma. On the other hand, pin site infections are much more common with reported rates of up to 7% in the hand or wrist.
Do K wires go through the bone?
A Kirschner wire (also called a K-wire) is a thin metallic wire or pin that can be used to stabilize bone fragments. These wires can be drilled through the bone to hold the fragments in place. They can be placed percutaneously (through the skin) or can be buried beneath the skin.
How long do K wire wounds take to heal?
The K-wires are often left sticking out of the skin, but they will be covered by a dressing or by a plaster. The K-wires will usually be removed between 3-6 weeks after the operation.
How are K-wires inserted in finger?
This involves holding broken bone fragments together using small, sharp wires passed through the skin into the bones using x-ray control. The bones are first pulled into the right position (manipulation under anaesthesia). The wires are cut off outside the finger and bent over so they don’t catch too much.
What happens after K wires are removed?
Care at home after the K-wires are removed If your child’s K-wires and backslab have been removed, keep any dressings dry for 24 hours. After 24 hours, your child can have a shower, but afterwards you will need to replace wet dressings with new dry dressings.
How long do pins stay in broken finger?
In this type of injury, the surgeon may use either pins or plates and screws for repair. The pins would stay in for about 4-6 weeks, and plates and screws would be removed only if bothersome.
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. There is no consensus as to whether wire burial is preferable or not.
What is a K wire used for in a fracture?
K-wires are often used to stabilize a broken bone and can be removed in the office once the fracture has healed. Some K-wires are threaded, which helps prevent movement or backing out of the wire, although that can also make them more difficult to remove.
How do you fix a broken finger with K-wires?
Get the awake patient to actively move the finger right after you insert the K-wires. Look at the fracture and the K-wires move with a low power fluroroscope. Assess the stability of your K-wire fixation, and the ease of movement. If the fracture is moving too much, add another K-wire.
How do we do early protected movement for Walant K-wired finger fractures?
How we do early protected movement for WALANT K-wired finger fractures: Reduce the finger fracture with K-wires with WALANT. Get the awake patient to actively move the finger right after you insert the K-wires. Look at the fracture and the K-wires move with a low power fluroroscope.
What are the uses of a Kyk-wire?
K-wires are often used to stabilize a broken bone and then removed in the office once the fracture has healed. The wires can also be threaded to help prevent movement or backing out of the wire, although that can also make them more difficult to remove.