Demo page for boxes, columns and icons
About K wires
K wires, also known as Kirschener wires, are used to hold a broken bone in the correct position following surgery.
The wires usually stick out from the skin. This is so they can be easily removed once the bone has healed. These wires are often covered by a small dressing and a plaster cast to prevent them from moving.
Preparing your child for removal of K wires
- Explain to your child what will happen during the procedure and what to expect following the removal of the wires.
- Give your child some simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen before you arrive for your appointment.
- You might like to bring something to distract your child during the procedure. For example videos already downloaded to your phone or iPad, or books and games.
- Speak to your doctor during your appointment if you have questions or want to discuss K wire removal.
When we remove K wires
- The wires are normally removed 3 to 6 weeks after surgery.
- During that time, your child will probably wear a plaster cast to protect the wires.
- While your child is wearing their cast, we will check their wound. We often do additional X rays to confirm that the bone is healing in the correct position.
- We also change your child’s cast so that we can check the wound. While we do this, the wires will be visible outside the skin.
How we remove K wires
You can expect the following when it is time for us to remove the K wires.
- We usually remove your child’s wires at their outpatient clinic appointment. Sometimes we remove the wires while your child is under general anaesthetic. We will discuss the most suitable method for removal with you.
- We use a cast saw to take off your child’s cast. The saw can be noisy and it vibrates which often tickles. If you child is especially anxious, we can use a quieter cast saw.
- To distract your child, you can show them the movies or games that you brought with you. We can provide some games if you need them.
- After we use the saw on the cast, we finish by using scissors to remove it. We remove any dressing.
- The K wires will now be visible. We clean the area around the wire’s pins. We remove the wires using a special pair of pliers.
- This might feel strange to your child, but it will not be too uncomfortable. Sometimes there may be small amount of pain.
- The small wounds where the wires are removed may bleed a little. This is normal and we will apply a simple dressing.
Risks involved in removing K wires
Removal of the K wires is a straightforward procedure, but it may result in a small scar as your child’s wound heals.
Important information
Contact Orthopaedics Outpatients (see Contacts below) or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if you notice any of the following in relation to your child’s cast:
- An increase in swelling of the injured limb.
- Change of colour: blueness to your child’s fingers or hand which does not reduce when they raise the injured limb.
- Signs of infection, such as your child starting to feel unwell, itchiness around the wound site, or a burning sensation around the wound site.
- A change in sensation where the wires were removed: your child’s limb becomes extremely sensitive, or feels numb or becomes particularly painful.
Contact information
Orthopaedics Outpatients Department, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
or
Kingston Hospital Plaster Room, Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm