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Device to protect the projecting end of Kirschner wires, Steinmann's pin or external fixation pins
DEVICE TO PROTECT THE PROJECTING END OF KIRSCHNER WIRES, STEINMANNS PIN OR EXTERNAL FIXATION PINS* HAROLD D. CAYLOR, M.D. AND LEE WITWER BLUPPTON,INDIANA
T
HE increased use of skeIetaI traction and particuIarIy externa1 fixation in the treatment of fractures presents
FIG.
I. A,
The apparatus consists of a fiber coIIar approximateIv one-half inch in diameter and one-haIf_inch long. This is cut from
the device in use with a Kirschner wire and bow; B, wrench for Allen screw; c, device in use on externa1 fixation apparatus.
a real probIem in the protection of the portions of the pin or wire which projects beyond the fixation device or bow. FrequentIy a cork is stuck on the end of the pin or wire and this is soon knocked off and the patient or his attendants are very apt to injure themselves by striking the projecting end of the pin or wire. About seven years ago Mrs. W., a member of the famiIy of one of us (L. W.) had a fractured Ieg which was reduced by Kirschner wires with a skeIetaI traction and was heId in position by incorporating these wires in a pIaster of paris cast in the usua1 fashion. The need for protection of the ends of wires became obvious and this device is our answer to the probIem. * From the Caylor-Nickel
standard fiber stock. A hoIe is bored through the center of the stock; then the ends are dressed with a fiIe and finished off with emory cIoth. A hoIe is bored with a No. 25 driI1 and tapped to size IO by 24 threads at right angIes to the previous opening made through the fiber paraIIe1 to its Iong axis. In this hoIe a IO by 24 AIIen set screw is inserted and run down to impinge on a wire or pin and cover its projecting pointed end. (Fig. I.) The size of the hoIe in the coIIar can be varied to fit the screw or pin. We have been using this device for about seven years and it is eminently satisfactory. Clinic, BIuffton,
133
Indiana.
T
HE increased use of skeIetaI traction and particuIarIy externa1 fixation in the treatment of fractures presents
FIG.
I. A,
The apparatus consists of a fiber coIIar approximateIv one-half inch in diameter and one-haIf_inch long. This is cut from
the device in use with a Kirschner wire and bow; B, wrench for Allen screw; c, device in use on externa1 fixation apparatus.
a real probIem in the protection of the portions of the pin or wire which projects beyond the fixation device or bow. FrequentIy a cork is stuck on the end of the pin or wire and this is soon knocked off and the patient or his attendants are very apt to injure themselves by striking the projecting end of the pin or wire. About seven years ago Mrs. W., a member of the famiIy of one of us (L. W.) had a fractured Ieg which was reduced by Kirschner wires with a skeIetaI traction and was heId in position by incorporating these wires in a pIaster of paris cast in the usua1 fashion. The need for protection of the ends of wires became obvious and this device is our answer to the probIem. * From the Caylor-Nickel
standard fiber stock. A hoIe is bored through the center of the stock; then the ends are dressed with a fiIe and finished off with emory cIoth. A hoIe is bored with a No. 25 driI1 and tapped to size IO by 24 threads at right angIes to the previous opening made through the fiber paraIIe1 to its Iong axis. In this hoIe a IO by 24 AIIen set screw is inserted and run down to impinge on a wire or pin and cover its projecting pointed end. (Fig. I.) The size of the hoIe in the coIIar can be varied to fit the screw or pin. We have been using this device for about seven years and it is eminently satisfactory. Clinic, BIuffton,
133
Indiana.