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Types of Orthopedic Pins

Orthopedic surgeons focus on surgeries to help correct problems with bones throughout the body, such as the hands, shoulders, knees and ankles, as well as the spine. Orthopedic surgeons use orthopedic pins during surgery to repair injuries, such as fractures and deformities. The type of pin used during orthopedic surgery depends on the location in the body where the surgery takes place and the type of surgery being performed.

  1. Composition and Complications

    • Pins are used when a fracture or impairment cannot heal on its own, when the injured bone penetrates the skin or if pain does not subside after physical therapy and other nonsurgical treatments. Most surgical pins are made of stainless steel or titanium alloy. Over time, there is often a risk of the pin loosening or the patient encountering a pin infection. Stainless steel and titanium are used because these normally do not cause reactions with chemicals and compounds found in the human body. Risks for surgery include an allergic reaction to medication, such as difficulty breathing, bleeding and infection.

    Knowles Pin

    • The Knowles pin is used by surgeons to help stabilize a fractured clavicle, ankle or other fractures that range in diameter from 3.0 millimeters to 4 millimeters. The length of these pins ranges from 65 millimeters to 100 millimeters. The Knowles pin is often used instead of a plate because of its low rate of complications and its efficacy.

    Austin Moore Pin

    • The Austin Moore pin includes two nuts and is 3 millimeters in diameter. The length of the Austin Moore pin ranges from 50 millimeters to 150 millimeters. Austin Moore pins are often used for hip prosthesis and knee prosthesis.

    Steinmann Pins

    • A Steinmann pin is used for fixing fractures, particularly in the tibia and the femur. The Steinmann pin is either driven directly into the bone or a hole is drilled into the bone and then the pin is rotated into the bone. The Steinmann pin ranges from 2 to 4.8 mm and may be either threaded or non-threaded depending on its use.

    Alternatives

    • Depending on the location of the operation and the reason for the surgery, some surgeons may choose to use implants, nails and screws and wire to help in the repair. During a bone graft, an orthopedic surgeon may use screws across a break to hold it, a steel plate held by screws and a long metal pin to be driven through the bone from one end to the other.

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