Insertion of K-wires by hammer generates less heat: A study of drilling and hammering K-wires into bone

Abstract

Laboratory tests were carried out on cadaver animal bones to evaluate the thermal effect of inserting K-wires with a pneumatic hammer as compared to drilling. The mean maximum bone temperature 0.5 mm from the K-wires was 34 (22–72) °C using the hammer and 54 (19–100) °C for drilling, 1.0 mm from the K-wire the mean maximum temperature was 31 (19–52) °C for hammering and 47 (17–91) °C for drilling. The mean time for the temperature exposure in the cases of drilling was 50 s and for hammering 41 s. The hammering device may reduce the risk of heat-induced injury.