Glossary term
Pin-track infection
An infection at the site where a metal pin or wire of an external fixator enters the skin.
Updated 2026-02-241 alias1 sourceUsed across articles and safety pages
Definition
Pin- or wire-site infection is an infection associated with the skin-to-bone tract of external fixation. Redness or drainage can also reflect mechanical irritation, so severity and depth require assessment. Management ranges from pin-site care to antibiotics, pin intervention, debridement, or fixation change; it should not be assumed that every case is superficial or treated with the same oral drug. [1]
Aliases
pin-site infection
Updated 2026-02-24
Sources
- Kazmers NH et al. - Prevention of pin site infection in external fixation: a review of the literatureacademic_journalAccessed 2026-07-12
Informational only. Not medical advice.