Kirschner Wires designed to surgical preferences
Custom K-Wires for Your Surgical Needs
Kirschner wires, also known as K-wires, are thin, smooth, stainless steel pins designed for a variety of medical, orthopedic, dental and plastic surgery procedures. Manufactured in a variety of diameters and tips, their specialized applications primarily involve holding bone fragments stable for the time period necessary for the bones to heal or to provide an anchor for skeletal traction. Whether used for either temporary fixation or final stabilization, K-wires can often be inserted through the skin and directly into the bone – without the need for surgery.
- Bridge fracture of small tubular bones
- Pull bone fragments together to ensure correct alignment during healing process
- Placed between bones
Below, five (5) K-wires stabilize a Distal Radial fracture.
Surgical Applications
K-wire surgical techniques are typically less invasive than various other procedures, including plates and screws, for treating bone fractures. Kirschner wires are often driven into the bone through the skin (percutaneous pin fixation) using a power or hand drill.
Medical / Orthopedics
K-wires are commonly used in surgeries for hand, wrist, elbow, ankle and foot injuries. Due to the smaller bones in these locations, the major advantages of K-wires are their smaller sizes and relatively non-invasive application for fracture surgery. Related article: K-Wire Fixation for Distal Phalanx Multi-fragmentary Fracture.
Dental and Oral
K-wire surgical techniques are less invasive than previous procedures used to treat bone fractures, such as plates and screws. Related article: Intraoperative Details of Orthognathic Surgery Treatment.
Veterinary
K-wire surgical techniques are less invasive than previous procedures used to treat bone fractures, such as plates and screws. Related article: Maxillary and mandibular fractures in Small Animal Surgery.
Plastic Surgery
K-wire surgical techniques are less invasive than previous procedures used to treat bone fractures, such as plates and screws. Related article: Use of Kirschner wire in mandible reconstruction.