Starting with the first day your fixator is applied, and until the day your fixator is removed, your pin sites will need to be cleaned in a simple and painless manner. Instructions on pin-site care may vary slightly, but there are commonly accepted guidelines for you to follow. If your surgeon has prescribed antibiotics to ward off possible infection, be sure to take them as prescribed until all the medication is used. Remember to clean your pin sites twice daily even if you are taking an antibiotic. Wash your hands thoroughly, including between fingers and the back of each hand.
Hand washing is the single most important factor in preventing infection.
Use a paper towel to dry your hands and dispose of it after use. Step 2 . Gently massage the skin around the pins with your fingertips to bring drainage to the surface so that it may be cleaned away. Step 3 . Saturate a sterile cotton swab with the cleansing solution selected by your surgeon.