Checketts et al used a grading scheme to describe infections associated with external fixator pins.
Parameters:
(1) pin site
(2) discharge
(3) pin site care
|
Pin Site |
Discharge |
Pin Site Care |
Grade |
|
normal |
none |
NA |
0 |
|
slight redness |
a little discharge |
clears problem without antibiotics |
1 |
|
redness all around |
discharge with pain and tenderness |
clears with improved site care and short course of antibiotics |
2 |
|
redness all around |
discharge with pain and tenderness |
fails to clear after improved site care and antibiotics |
3 |
|
redness around several pins |
severe soft tissue infection around several pins |
abandon external fixation and remove pins |
4 |
|
redness all around |
severe soft tissue infection with osteomyelitis |
abandon external fixation and remove pins |
5 |
|
initial healing after removal of pin followed by periodic breaking down |
discharge during episodes of breaking down |
requires curettage of pin track |
6 |
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
ICD-10: ,
