Use of a K-wire in Podiatric surgery

The k wire is a long straight wire with a pointed tip. A k wire is usually used in bunion surgery to hold the end of the bone after the resection of the bone. In the surgeries I have done the k wire was not left in the bone, usually a screw or other fixation is actually left in the bone and the k wire is removed during surgery. The importance of using the k wire is to make sure the bone is properly aligned while the fixation ( screw or pin) is put in place. Some docs use an absorbable pin in the bone for fixation. If there is a lot of wear at the joint being repaired, the k wire is soometimes used to make multiple small holes in the end of bone. This helps the bone to rebuild lost tissue at the end and alleviate pain from lack of tissue. Since I do not know what type of bunionectomy you had (there are several) and if it was done by a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon ( their techniques vary) this is all I can tell you about it. I hope this answered your question.