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Fine wires are used to attached rings (half, 2/3 or full circumference) to the affected extremity. Usually, we use 1.8mm stainless steel wires with or without olive (olive is used to either prevent bone fragment to move or to pull a bony fragment) on one side of the wire. Wires are then attached to the rings with different types of bolts (usually slotted ones).
When the wire is attached on one side of the ring, tension is applied on the wire with a special device where tension can be delivered in a controlled way (exact Nm per wire). Usually, we go for 1000Nm in range 900Nm to 1100 Nm. Less than 900 Nm doesn’t stabilise the wire enough when above 1100Nm can not be retained due to friction force limitation which can be applied between wire and frame with slotted bolts. Sometimes wires can be augmented with half pins, which are mainly used in diaphyseal part of the bone. They can be hydroxyapatite-coated to improve the longevity of stability of half pin in the bone and prevent loosening of pin comparing to non-coated ones. Half pins are attached to the rings with specially designed bolts and screws but are not tensioned.
Rings belonging to the same bone fragment are connected together either by threaded rods or rancho cubs when rings belonging to different fragments of bone are joined together by threaded rods (in Ilizarov type external fixator with or without hinges) or struts (TSF external fixator).
If anywhere else, Fine Wire Frame Fixation does not have absolute and relative indications, neither does it have absolute and relative contra-indications. In my understanding this is relatively unique in surgical if not the whole medical sphere. Why not?
In my understanding Fine Wire Frame Fixation method is the method which can be used when everything else fails. And the reason for it is the contact area between bone and foreign material. Contact area between metal/bone is the smallest comparing to any other type of fixation enabling easier defence against bacterial infection (bacteria like to adhere to any foreign material). Weight-bearing on injured leg (broken bone) stimulates muscle activities hence is improving blood supply to the area. Increased blood supply can be correlated to the faster and better healing.
Certain types of fracture (transverse) and fixations (Poller screws) will allow patients to walk straight away putting the whole body weight through the fixed limb. When other types of fracture fixations (oblique, comminuted, spiral) will not be suitable for early weight bearing due to the possibility of early metalwork failure, which can easily end in either "bent" limb of broken metalwork and bone. Any unnecessary/additional procedures on any bone just increase infection risk.
Due to the trampolining effect in Fine Wire Frame Fixation patients can walk, run, exercise without any significant risk of early metalwork failure. The worst thing which can happen is a broken wire. And as a rule, one broken wire gets replaced by two wires. Patients with Fine Wire Frame Fixation are advised from the beginning to use the limb as much as possible to speed up the recovery and minimise the risk of complications.
Fixations with plates, screws or nails result in fixation devices buried underneath the skin with no part of them visible through the skin. In vast majority of cases discomfort patients are getting as a result of them early post fixation but also on a long term is minimal, providing that fracture union proceeds according to the plan. As a surgeon you can fix it and forget about it. Complication level is low and no additional care/management is necessary, except physiotherapy, which is required in all cases.
Fine Wire Frame Fixation is just the opposite. Almost everything is above the skin level. There are multiple pin sites with different amount of oozing, discharging fluid. The components are hitting the other leg whilst walking and wires are cutting through the muscles and skin on each move. More on upper than on lower leg. But patients can walk and risk of infection is significantly lower.
My rule is simple. If I can fix a fracture using plate and screws or a nail without increasing the risk of infection, delayed union or non-union and if the fracture configuration allows it, my first choice is always internal fixation with minimal discomfort for the patient. If I can't then will use Fine Wire Frame Fixation. In my hands this is almost always used for complex open fractures with bone and soft tissue defects, infections and non-unions which are very slow to heal.
Being severely injured is something what people who were never injured cannot understand. Not even medical staff. But when you are struck with complications on top of your injuries... Like injury itself is not enough.
Complications in complex limb injuries can be devided into two broad groups:
The names of both groups are self explanatory.
What can you expect?
Predictable complications are easy to manage and a solution to majority of your problems is not far away. When Unpredictable group is unpredictable.
We certainly have to remain optimistic but any form of amputation has to be considered as in some cases the salvage of the limb is not possible. Not to amputate the limb will unnecessarily lengthen your treatment but also expose you to unnecessary risks of further complications like anaesthetic risks, blood clots, superinfection, complications on donor sites...
Expected healing time for infected non-union is in the range between 1-2 years. If the initial estimate for the length of treatment is longer than 2 years, option of amputation should be seriously considered.
It is for you to decide which treatment to go for but before you do, you have to have the whole picture and certainly seek for second opinion.
There is no clear consensus of how to deal with pin sites, particularly with pin site infections. We are trying different techniques, from sponges, causes, absorbent dressings... Even skin glue was attempted. And this is suggesting that there is no clear solution to the problem. But what is the problem?
Is this occasionally clear fluid leaking pin sites with no redness and no pain in the extremity? Or is this pin site with pus like discharge with swollen red extremity, red skin, which is grossly swollen and painful to touch?
In my opinion the later example or description would be highly suggestive of a pin site infection. And it usually needs treatment. The fact is that it will not get better on its own. Or at least that is highly unlikely.
Pin sites represent the point of entry to the body. Piercing the skin. And the body is fighting against it, by sending defending cells to the area which when are destroyed, form pus. Then more cells arrive to the area, more of them are destroyed and more pus is produced. But only if there are bacteria present.
It looks as if, from clinical experiences, that there are certain parts of the body which respond stronger to pins, creating more discharge but that does not necessarily mean there is an infection. The bigger the muscle the wire is passing through, or if there are moving tendons in the area (pes anserinus area) those pin sites will be actively producing fluid but will not get infected if treated properly.
Currently we use Chlorhexidine soaked gauzes, which are changed on regular basis, certainly when they get soiled. It appears that the most important factor is removing the dirt and re-dress the pin site. Does it make sense?
In my opinion, it has to do with the stability of the construct, providing that good pin site care has been delivered and one week of antibiotics did not produce any significant improvement.
Schematic presentation of wire-only ideal frame construct. Half pins can be added to the construct depending on the length of the fragments and weight of the patient.
If the infection is not settling down with rest and one week of antibiotics (as per microbiology advice) then extra olive wires or/and half pins have to be added. I know it requires another visit to the theatre, but sooner it is done, the less problems you will have. I always try to stay on the side of an overly stable frame. But it is still not always enough. A strong construct is a good construct.
If bone fragments are in contact and part of the weight (force) is going through the bone, this will off-load the frame and make the construct more stable. Unfortunately it is not always possible to have fragments in contact.
If fragments are not in contact, a fine wire frame should not be used for full weight bearing but only partial weight bearing, particularly in heavier patients. Until fragments get opposed and load sharing takes place.
It has become apparent in my clinical practice, that limb lengthening or callus distraction does not behave the same as a bone defect. If your bone is being reconstructed using callus distraction method, you are safe to bare full weight on your leg despite the "defect" you are having.
Different fixation methods dictate different level of activities. But anyhow you are expected to be active, and exercise, irrespectively of your injury.
It is well accepted fact that higher the level of activity post injury, shorter the recovery time. And this is not just related to your bones, but also to your soft tissue and your body as a whole, including psychological recovery.
So, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON EXERCISING. Sounds familiar?
