Internal Fracture Fixation (2 of 4) Flashcards
What is orthopedic wire made of?
Stainless steel
What is the benefit of thicker wire (lower gauge)?
Increased tensile strength
What is orthopedic wire never used for?
The sole method of fx fixation
NOTE: Exception is some mandibular fractures
What 3 things is orthopedic wire typically used with?
IM pins
External skeletal fixators
Plates
What are 3 applications for orthopedic wire?
Cerclage wire (+/- skewer pins) Tension bands (avulsion fractures) Interfragmentary wire
What is cerclage wire?
Wire places circumferentially around the bone column to cause compression across the fracture line (oblique fx)
What are the 5 major rules for cerclage wire placement?
Only use on long oblique or spiral fx
Place at least 2 cerclage wires
Place 0.5cm from fx ends, spaced ~0.5-1x bone diameter apart
Place the wire perpendicular to the bone
Cut the wire leaving 2-3 twists or a 5-10mm arm
When considering cerclage for long oblique or spiral fx, what 2 conditions must exist?
Fracture line >2x bone diameter
Must be able to reconstruct the bone column (so it can bear weight)
Why should you not bend over the twist in the cerclage wire?
It loosens the wire
What situation would you use cerclage and skewer pins?
Short oblique fractures
How is a cerclage and skewer pin applied?
K-wire placed through fracture segments perpendicular to the fracture and cerclage wire is placed around the bone to hold pieces together
What is the purpose of a tension band wire?
To neutralize the pull of muscle/tendons on the fracture fragment
When is a tension band wire indicated?
Avulsion fractures and some osteotomies
What are 6 clinical applications for a tension band wire?
Acromion Olecranon Greater trochanter Patella Greater tuberosity Lateral malleolus
What are the general 4 steps to applying a tension band wire?
- Reduce the fragment and drive 2 K-wires across the fx
- Drill hole through both bone cortices distal to the fx line to pass orthopedic wire
- Pass wire through the hole and figure-eight around the ends of the pins and back to other end of wire
- Tighten wire via twist
What is an interfragmentary wire?
Used like sutures to hold bone fragments together
What is the indication for an interfragmentary wire?
Simple fx of flat, non-weight bearing bones that interdigitate well
What is the most common use for an interfragmentary wire?
Mandibular and maxillary fx