title: The thermal effects of Kirschner wire fixation on small bones.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess bone heating caused by the passage of fine (<2 mm) K-wires of different types. Stainless steel K-wires of trocar and diamond point configurations (0.8-2.0 mm) were drilled into the metatarsal bones from a freshly amputated lower limb at a constant force. Temperature measurements were made by miniature thermocouples inserted into the bones, at 3 second intervals over a period of 3 minutes while each K-wire was drilled three times. The temperature reached varied with the tip configurations and the diameter of the K-wires. Regardless of point configuration, thinner wires generated more heat than thicker ones.
authors.affiliation: Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the University of Derby, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Plessas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Bainbridge
mesh_terms: D001831:Body Temperature; D001864:Bone Wires; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D013193:Stainless Steel
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel