Comparison of two clamping mechanisms for Kirschner wires in Ilizarov fixator and Taylor Spatial Frame

The purpose of the study was to examine and compare the tensile characteristics of 1.8 mm smooth Kirschner wires (K-wires) fixed with four different clamping mechanisms:Ilizarov and Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) are two widely used types of external fixation devices, in both of which fine K-wires are used as transosseous elements. The K-wires are pretensioned and fixed to the rings using specialised fixation bolts. In this study, two types of fixation bolts, namely slotted and cannulated bolts, are used to clamp wires to Ilizarov as well as TSF rings, resulting in a total of four groups of tests. Each of the four groups of tests were carried out three times. A fixation torque of 15 Nm was applied to all bolts. The wires were then subjected to tensile loads up to failure. The results for load-deflection characteristics, ultimate load and elastic stiffness, and maximum deflection are presented. The results show the TSF rings had a better grip on the wires than the Ilizarov rings.