Pin Site Care

Some surgical procedures require the use of metal pins to hold bones in place while they heal. The type of pins, the number of pins, and the length of time you will have the pins in place vary depending on the type of surgery you had.

In some cases, the pins will stick out of your skin until they are removed. These pins require special care. They need to stay clean to prevent infection around the pin or in your bone.

What are the risks?

Generally, the use of these surgical pins is safe. However, problems may occur, including:

• Pain or redness at the surgical site.
• Infection around the pin and in your bone, especially if the pins stick out of the skin.

Supplies needed:

• Antibacterial soap and water to wash your hands.
• A germ-free (sterile) container.
• Sterile cotton swabs.
• Sterile gauze.
• Medical tape.
• Cleaning solution. This may vary among healthcare providers and hospitals. There are two types that are commonly used:
  • Sterile saline solution.
  • Hydrogen peroxide and sterile saline solution. If using this, mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and sterile saline solution in a sterile container.

How to care for your pin site

Clean your pins and pin sites once a day, or as often as told by your health care provider. To clean the pin sites, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands carefully with antibacterial soap and water.
2. If you have a bandage (dressing) over a pin site, gently remove it and throw it away.
3. Dip a cotton swab in the cleaning solution.
4. Using the cotton swab, clean around the base of the pin where it meets your skin. Using a circular motion, start at the pin and move outward.
5. If your skin has moved up onto the pin, gently push your skin back down. Remove any crust that has formed on the pin.
6. After you have cleaned the base of the pin, clean the rest of the pin.
7. Clean each pin site using a clean cotton swab for each pin.
8. Dry each pin site with a clean cotton swab.
9. If directed by your health care provider, use medical tape to secure new sterile gauze around the pin.

Check your pin site every day. If you notice any signs of infection, call your health care provider right away. Signs of infection include:

• Swelling or hardness around the site.
• Increased pain around the site.
• New or increasing redness of your skin around the pin.
• Skin at the site of the pin that is warmer than other areas of your skin.
• Numbness or tingling of your skin around the pin.
• Drainage from the pin site that is green, yellow, thick, or smells bad.

Contact a health care provider if:

• A pin becomes loose.
• You have pain, redness or swelling at a pin site.

Get help right away if:

• Fluid leaks from a pin site.
• You develop a fever.
• You have chills.
• The area above or below the pin site becomes warm and swollen.

Summary

• Some surgical procedures require the use of metal pins to hold bones in place while they heal.
• Clean your pin sites with a cleaning solution. Be sure to use germ-free (sterile) supplies to do this.
• You will need to clean your pins and pin sites daily, unless your health care provider gives you different instructions.