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Pin Site Care


Pin Site Care For The External Fixator

  1. Pin site care should be done two times daily unless otherwise specified by your doctor.
  2.  Wash your hands with soap and water before beginning.
  3.  Gather all materials you will need -- Hydrogen Peroxide, cotton-tip applicators and gauze pads.
  4. Remove old dressings and dispose of them properly.
  5. Wash hands again.
  6. Look closely at each pin site.
  7. Use on cotton-tip applicator per pin site and clean around each site using a circular motion.
  8. Push the skin down around the pin site as it has a tendency to "creep up."
  9. Work hard to remove all crusting and dried drainage.
  10. Clean up and dispose of all of the used supplies.
  11. Wash your hands with soap and water.

Watch for signs of infection

  • Temperature over 100°
  • Thick white, yellow, or green drainage
  • Redness, warmth, or swelling at the pin site
  • Bad smell from the pin site
  • Severe pain at the pin site

Most pin tract infections can be taken care of with an oral antibiotic. Call us at 205-638-9146 if these signs develop.