Implants Used with Internal Fixation - Pins and Wires Flashcards
What are the 2 ways in which internal fixation can be applied?
- Open reduction and internal fixation
- Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis
What is the aim of internal fixation?
To treat fractures by rigidly holding the fracture fragments together using implants with the aim to provide reliable, predictable bone healing
Are pins and wires mainly used as primary or auxillary implants?
Auxillary
What are pins and k wires made from?
316L stainless steel
What is the difference between pins and k-wires?
Diameter
Smooth stainless-steel pins are available in many sizes with a variety of tips, what are they?
Trocar – most common (3 sharp sides)
Chisel (2 sharp sides)
Threaded either at the end or at the centre.
What size do steinmann pins come in?
(1.5mm – 6.5mm)
Are steinmann pins or kirschner wires more elastic?
Kirschner wires (Kwire)
What size are K wires?
< 2mm (0.7 – 1.6mm diameter)
Advantages of IM pins (7)
The most rigid implant in resisting bending
Relatively easy to put in place
Can be applied using minimally invasive methods
Affordable
Versatile
Easy to remove when needed
Little inventory required (an IM pin can be applied by hand with a Jakob’s chuck or with an electric drill).
Disadvantages of IM pins
Do not neutralize all forces acting on a fracture ( compression, rotation, shear, tension)
Dissemination of infection during open fractures, by seeding contaminants proximally and distally within the medullary cavity (low risk).
Indications for use of IM pins? (combination..)
In combination with
-bone plates (plate-rod construct)
- ESF
- Cerclage wire
- Stand alone
What configuration is used for IM pin can be left long and be connected with the ESF?
Tied in
As the IM pin is placed in the centre of the weight bearing axis, the addition of an IM pin is particularly recommended when?
A non-load sharing situation of a comminuted fracture scenario.
When ate IM pins used In combination with cerclage wire?
Only for very selected long oblique fractures.
What are the 2 scenarios IM pins can be used alone?
Metacarpal, metatarsal bones - The surrounding bones counteract some of the mechanical disadvantages.
Very young animals or very small animals - The fast healing counteracts some of the disadvantages. In these cases, it is also often preferable to combine the IM pin with an ESF.
Which of these statements about selecting pins and their sizes is correct?
Selection is based on radiographs.
Cats have straight bones which allow potentially smaller pins.
Too large a pin can result in interference with medullary blood supply and so delay the union.
When using an IM pin in combination with a plate or ESF, the pin should fill approximately 60-70% of the medullary cavity.
When using an IM pin to repair a mid-shaft fracture in combination with cerclage wires, the pin should fill 30-40% of the medullary cavity at its narrowest point.
Always start with a larger pin.
Selection is based on radiographs.
Too large a pin can result in interference with medullary blood supply and so delay the union.
Cats have straight bones - what pin does this allow for?
Potentially larger
When using an IM pin in combination with a plate or ESF, the pin should fill approximately ?% of the canal width.
30-40%
When using an IM pin to repair a mid-shaft fracture in combination with cerclage wires, the pin should fill ? of the medullary cavity at its narrowest point.
60-70%
What size pin to start with?
Small as poss and increase.
What is the advantage of using IM Pin using hand chuck to place?
get a better ‘feeling’ for where the pin is going.
Inserting IM pin with hand chuck:
- How does the pin start?
- What happens once entry point selected?
Start with only a small amount of pin penetrating from the hand chuck.
Rotate the pin back and forth once the entry point is selected.
What are the 2 ways an IM pin can be placed?
Normograde
Retrograde
An IM pin should be seated well - where?
Metaphyseal bone
For most bones and fracture scenarios, a which insertion is recommended.
Normograde
How is an IM pin placed in a retrograde fashion in the femur?
CARE- why?
Pins can also be placed in a retrograde fashion in the femur, being driven from the fracture site up the proximal bone segment. This must be done with the hip in extension to avoid damage to the sciatic nerve as it exits the bone. The fracture is then reduced, and the pin is then advanced back down across the fracture site and into the distal fragment.
How do you know when the pin has reached distal region? (normograde femur?)
Resistance is felt
During normograde placement:
What reduces the risk of inadvertent penetration of the distal cortex at the level of the stifle?
Distraction can be assisted by removing the sharp tip of the pin as it passes through the fracture site.
What size intramedullary pin is recommended when combined with a plate for the stabilisation of long bone fractures?
30-40% of medullary canal diameter
IM normograde humerus pin:
What can be done prior to advancing into the distal fragment to reduce the risk of penetration of the cortex as the pin is advanced in the distal fragment?
The sharp tip of the pin can be removed
When intramedullary pins are inserted into the humerus it is advised that pins be angled where to increase bone purchase and length of the pin used.
toward or inserted into the medial aspect of the humeral condyle
Which of the following forces are most resisted by intramedullary pins?
Rotation
Shear
Tension
Bending
Bending
Does this apply to IM pin of the femur or humerus:
Apply whilst holding limb in extension ad adduction?
Femur
Does this apply to IM pin of the femur or humerus:
Drill initially perpendicular to the bone surface then redirect
Humerus
Does this apply to IM pin of the femur or humerus:
Retrograde with an increased risk to enter joint
Humerus
Does this apply to IM pin of the femur or humerus:
Insert from trochanteric fossa
Femur
Femur IM pin:
A) Where is it inserted from?
B) Normo or retrograde preferred?
A) Trochanteric fossa
B) Normo
Why is retrograde IM femur pins contraindicated in cats?
High risk of sciatic nerve irritation/damage
How is the leg positioned for IM pin placement in the femur?
Apply while holding the leg in extension and adduction, this helps to avoid the sciatic nerve
Humerus IM pin:
A) Normo or retro?
B) What angle is the pin placed?
C) Where is the pin aimed?
A) Normo
B) Drill initially perpendicular to the bone surface then redirect
C) Aim caudally, medially and distally towards the medial epicondylar crest
What is the risk of retrograde placement with the humerus?
Enter shoulder joint