Complications of Kirschner-wire Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures

Distal radius and ulna fractures are the most common fractures seen in England, occurring at a rate of 22/10,000 person years. Kirschner (K)-wire fixation is a well-accepted method of treating these fractures. There is a surprising paucity of evidence on the subject of prophylactic antibiotics and the duration of K wires can be left in, as these relate to infection rates. We therefore present the results of our protocol for distal radius K-wire...