Kirschner wires (K-wires)

Kirschner wires (K-wires) are stiff, straight wires that are sometimes needed to repair a fracture (broken bone). K-wires are also commonly called ‘pins’.
If your child has a fracture that requires surgery, they may need K-wires to help hold the bones in place until they heal. They are most commonly used for supracondylar (elbow) or wrist injuries. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, sometimes multiple K-wires are needed
. 

K-wires are only needed temporarily – once the bones have healed, the K-wires are removed during an outpatient appointment.

What to expect with K-wire insertion
A surgeon will need to put K-wires in during an operation – the surgeon will intentionally place the K-wires so the ends stick out of your child’s skin. This is so the wires can be removed three to four weeks after surgery, without the need for another operation.

The wires are covered with a padded dressing and the injured area is placed in a removable backslab (a partial cast held in place with bandages) or in a ready-made splint.

Care at home while the K-wires are in
Your child will not be able to see or feel the wires under the padded dressing and it is important that you or your child do not to try to see or disturb the wires.

Keep the cast and bandages dry and provide simple pain relief (e.g. paracetamol) if it is needed.
Your child will not usually require any checks of the pin sites (where the wires stick out) or dressings.
What to expect with K-wire removal
Your child will have an appointment scheduled three to four weeks after surgery so that the K-wires can be removed.



Note
K-wires are stiff straight wires (commonly called pins) inserted during an operation to help hold a fractured bone in the correct position for healing.
Your child will have a dressing to cover the K-wires, and a backslab or splint in place for three to four weeks.
It is important that you or your child do not to try to see or disturb the wires.
K-wires are usually removed at an outpatient appointment without the need for another operation.
Your child may need some simple pain relief and distraction during the K-wire removal procedure.
If at any stage you have concerns about plaster care, pain management or complications, or you are worried for any other reason, take your child back to their treating hospital or your closest hospital emergency department.