External Fixators/Pin Care

External Fixator For Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

 

Pin Care of External Fixator

1.  In general very little care is needed

2.  Wrapping sterile Kerlix (Kling, roller gauze) between the pin clamp and skin may prevent the skin from pistoning up and down over the pin, this
      reduces pin tract contamination and the chance of pin tract infection. This can be done as needed.

3.  If the pin site become sore or has drainage this is not unusual 

            a.  Call your physician. 

            b.  Your physician may ask you to come in, this is usually not a serious problem but it can be. 

            c.  Your physician may prescribe an oral antibiotic. 

                        i.  Continue on your oral antibiotics as prescribed. 

                        ii.  Do not stop your antibiotic therapy until directed. 

            d.  Your physician may ask you to clean your pins.

                        i.  First wash hands and prepare a clean work surface. 

                        ii.  Using sterile swabs with a solution of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 normal saline; pull back the skin around the pins and clean 
                             vigorously 2 times a day. (You should use approximately 1 teaspoonful of each or 1 - 5cc "Dispos-A-Vial" of normal saline.) 
                  
                        iii.  Wrap Kerlix (Kling, roller gauze) snugly around the pins at the junction of pin and skin.

4.  Call your physician for the following: 
    
            a.  Please call your physician if there is excessive redness or swelling. 

            b.  Temperature over 101.5 degrees. 

            c.  Pain not relieved by prescription medication or Tylenol ®. 
    
            d.  Drainage from incision site or pin sites that is foul smelling, yellow, or green.