The effect of axial tension on the load bearing capacity of traction pins.

Skeletal traction is often used in the conservative treatment of fractures. Although a small diameter traction pin causes less trauma, its use is limited by the strength of the pin and the holding power of the bone. Both theoretical analysis and in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the bending resistance of traction pins subjected to an applied traction force. The results of this study indicate that thin K-wires could be prevented by applying tension. The possibility of a pin cutting through bone is minimal if the cortical bone structure of the patient is normal. However, further in vivo study is necessary to ascertain whether necrosis might occur due to excessive contact stress between the pin and the bone.