K-wire Fixation
This leaflet explains about K-wire fixation including why it is needed, how to look
after it and how it is removed. If you have any further questions, please speak to a
doctor or nurse caring for you.
What is a K-wire?
A K-wire is a small sharp wire used to support broken bones in fingers and toes.
Why does my child need a K-wire?
Your child may have needed to have a bone broken during an operation and the surgeon
will then put the K-wire in to keep the broken bone stable while it heals.
Alternatively, your child may need a K-wire to keep their bone in the right position after a
bad finger or toe injury.
How is a K-wire put in?
The K-wire is pushed down through the two pieces of the broken bone to support it while it
heals. Sometimes two wires are required to stabilise the bone.
The end of the wire/s is left sticking out of the end of your child’s finger or toe so that it can
be taken out easily. The end of the wire is bent over and protected in a padded dressing.
What are the risks?
There is a small risk of your child getting an infection around the K-wire where it enters the
skin. This risk is less if you keep the pin and the finger or toe clean and dry.
Asking for your consent
It is important that you feel involved in decisions about your child’s care. Before the
operation, you will be asked to sign a consent form to say that you agree to have the
treatment and understand what it involves. You can withdraw your consent at any time, even
if you have said ‘yes’ previously. If you would like more details about our consent process,
please ask for a copy of our policy.
How do I look after my child’s K-wire?
Straight after your child’s operation they will have a large, padded bandage protecting their
wound and the K-wire.
After your child’s wounds have healed, the K-wire will still need to stay in place. The hand
therapists may make a splint to protect your child’s finger or toe and the K-wire or it may be
better for them to still have a padded dressing.
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It is important that your child protects their K-wire. It should be kept dry and they shouldn’t
do any activities where the finger or toe and the K-wire could get knocked.
How long will the K-wire be in place?
This depends on why your child has the K-wire but is usually between two and four weeks.
How will the K-wire be removed?
Your child will have the K-wire removed during their outpatient appointment.
The finger or toe will be supported and the K-wire will be gently pulled out with forceps in a
fraction of a second - most children feel little or no pain.
Depending on the injury or operation your child had, the hand therapists may need to see
them for splinting and / or to give them some exercises.
Will I have a follow-up appointment?
Your child’s follow-up will depend on the operation they have had and why they needed the
K-wire. The frequency of the outpatient appointments will be discussed with you.
Contact us
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s injury, K-wire or dressing, please
contact the ward from which they were discharged:
Nicholls ward on 020 8725 3389 or 020 8725 2098
Freddie Hewitt ward on 020 8725 2074
Pinckney ward on 020 8725 2082
Jungle ward, (Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 8pm) on 020 8725 2034.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s splint, please contact the hand
therapy department on 020 8725 1038 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm).
You can also contact the paediatric plastic surgery clinical nurse specialist on
020 8725 2656 and leave a message on the answeringmachine. If your concern is urgent
please don’t leave a message but contact the ward from which your child was discharged.
For follow up appointments please contact the plastic surgery appointment desk on
020 8725 5855.
For more information leaflets on conditions, procedures, treatments and services
offered at our hospitals, please visit www.stgeorges.nhs.uk
Additional services
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS can offer you advice and information when you have comments or concerns about
our services or care. You can contact the PALS team on the advisory telephone line
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2pm to 5pm.
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A Walk-in service is available:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10am and 4pm
Friday between 10am and 2pm.
Please contact PALS in advance to check if there are any changes to opening times.
The Walk-in and Advisory telephone services are closed on Wednesdays.
PALS is based within the hospital in the ground floor main corridor between Grosvenor and
Lanesborough Wing.
Tel: 020 8725 2453 Email: pals@stgeorges.nhs.uk
NHS Choices
NHS Choices provides online information and guidance on all aspects of health and
healthcare, to help you make decisions about your health.
Web: www.nhs.uk
NHS 111
You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111
is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile
phones.
Tel: 111
AccessAble
You can download accessibility guides for all our services by searching
‘St George’s Hospital’ on the AccessAble website (www.accessable.co.uk). The guides are
designed to ensure everyone – including those with accessibility needs – can access our
hospital and community sites with confidence.
Reference: PLS_KWF_04 Published: December 2023 Review date: December 2025
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