Kirschner wires (K wires) are a common fixation device in foot and ankle surgery, particularly in lesser-toe fixation. Fatigue failure is a known complication of this fixation. The material properties of the K wire are a factor in the strength and durability of the wire. The purpose of this study is to compare the durability of K wires made of stainless steel, titanium, and Nitinol. Ten samples each of stainless steel, titanium. and Nitinol underwent cyclic durability testing using a rotating beam approach, and S-N curves (applied stress vs the number of cycles to failure) were generated. The results demonstrate that, generally, Nitinol K wires have a shorter life for the same applied stress than the stainless steel or titanium wires. Titanium had a longer life at low stresses compared with stainless steel, and stainless steel had a longer life at higher stresses. This study provides comparative durability data for K wires made of different metals, which have not been previously reported. Although there was a statistically significant difference in durability for wires used in K wire fixation, all 3 metal types are reasonable choices for temporary K wire fixation.Levels of Evidence: Level 5: Mechanical study.
Keywords: fatigue testing; hammer toe fixation.