When you kneed a torque wrench

[OccupantRJ]

I had a knee replacement recently and found this interesting picture in some literature. Wonder what the spec is?

 

[mike93lx]

Found this in a quick search. Can't say I have ever seen a N-MM torque spec

Torque Control during Bone Insertion of Cortical Screws - ScienceDirect.com https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...d3fc172&pid=1-s2.0-S2351978920309483-main.pdf

 

[dnschmidt]

Dude, you're scaring me. I need my right knee replaced and these pictures are giving me the hebe-gbees. Your implant dentist also has a micro torque wrench for tightening the screw that they put into your jaw bone. Mine showed me his. Very cute. Apparently it cost thousands of dollars.

 

[mike93lx]

Dude, you're scaring me. I need my right knee replaced and these pictures are giving me the hebe-gbees. Your implant dentist also has a micro torque wrench for tightening the screw that they put into your jaw bone. Mine showed me his. Very cute. Apparently it cost thousands of dollars.

I watched a video of lasik before getting mine done. Not sure it was the best idea but it gave me some insight on what to expect, which was nice. I know some people want nothing to do with that kind of stuff though

 

[bwringer]

The second time I broke my leg, I asked the orthopedic surgeon "So how in the world did you get the old bent hardware out of my femur?" I had seen the x-rays, and they were downright revolting and terrifying.

He immediately shot back a blunt "You don't want to know" and continued with what he was telling me.

He was right.

 

[VolvoRyan]

When I took medical anatomy, we saw some pretty scary repairs. Stuff that was probably done in the 1960's or 1970's. Surgical version of random sheet metal screws from a coffee can and hanger iron. Orthopedic fixtures have come soooooo far today.

-Ryan

 

[legenddc]

When I took medical anatomy, we saw some pretty scary repairs. Stuff that was probably done in the 1960's or 1970's. Surgical version of random sheet metal screws from a coffee can and hanger iron. Orthopedic fixtures have come soooooo far today.

-Ryan

There's a reason why medical equipment will use different chucks and it's to prevent things like that happening. Don't want your orthopaedic surgeon going to Home Depot to buy a new drill bit.

 

[mike93lx]

There's a reason why medical equipment will use different chucks and it's to prevent things like that happening. Don't want your orthopaedic surgeon going to Home Depot to buy a new drill bit.

My PPO would only pay for harbor freight if they could

 

[RTM]

I have a medical grade toggle bolt in my humerus (upper arm bone), holding my bicep top tendon in place. Buddy's son sells those, so he often sits in on surgeries to make sure they are installed correctly.

I don't have the stomach for that job.

 

[619DioFan]

About 3 ugga duggas should get ya torqued to specs.

 

[LopezBart]

For those who've not had the experience of having an implant post torqued into place, it's a weird feeling to have someone using a torque wrench in your mouth. A very small torque wrench, mind you, but one none the less.

 

[f121]

When I took medical anatomy, we saw some pretty scary repairs. Stuff that was probably done in the 1960's or 1970's. Surgical version of random sheet metal screws from a coffee can and hanger iron. Orthopedic fixtures have come soooooo far today.

-Ryan

Most recent x-rays I’ve seen where bones have been bolted together still look like that. Not pretty, but seems to work.

 

[Pexto]

I have a medical grade toggle bolt in my humerus (upper arm bone), holding my bicep top tendon in place. Buddy's son sells those, so he often sits in on surgeries to make sure they are installed correctly.

Is the bolt in the humerus, or the glenoid (scapula)? I ask because I've got a bolt in my glenoid, from a Bristow shoulder repair for recurrent dislocations. They cut the biceps tendon and some bone off the coracoid process, and screw it back in place lower down, where it blocks any potential anterior dislocation. Long time ago ...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Dude, you're scaring me. I need my right knee replaced and these pictures are giving me the hebe-gbees. Your implant dentist also has a micro torque wrench for tightening the screw that they put into your jaw bone. Mine showed me his. Very cute. Apparently it cost thousands of dollars.

Do not watch video of a knee replacement then. Actually the surgery was a breeze. I remember nothing other than prep and recovery. I will let you know though, that recovery is a physical trial and an emotional roller coaster.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Most recent x-rays I’ve seen where bones have been bolted together still look like that. Not pretty, but seems to work.

One in particular was real iffy. The screws went completely through the illiac crest from behind. Sharp pointy screws that were twice as long as they need be.

-Ryan

 

[RTM]

Is the bolt in the humerus, or the glenoid (scapula)? I ask because I've got a bolt in my glenoid, from a Bristow shoulder repair for recurrent dislocations. They cut the biceps tendon and some bone off the coracoid process, and screw it back in place lower down, where it blocks any potential anterior dislocation. Long time ago ...

Mine is in the humerus, or so I was told. For the unaware, as I was prior: Bicep Tendon has a long torturous path from the bump called muscle in your arm, thru the ball and socket joint, coming out on top of the shoulder and anchored near your neck somewhere. I had a bone spur on top of my shoulder midways, irritating and wearing the tendon. Doc said “cut it, reanchor to the arm bone, it’ll be great for someone at your level of activity” (big volleyball time back then). Right arm now has some rotator cuff issues, so basically gave it up, 5 yrs later. No popping out, and I want to keep it that way.

 

[j3rf]

Have to remember to get my knee replacement bolts torque checked every once in a while when I end up in that position. Wonder if they can do it with the patient unsedated?

 

[dscheidt]

Found this in a quick search. Can't say I have ever seen a N-MM torque spec

They totally exist. A friend got a hip replaced, and insisted on getting all of the literature that went with the implant. There were torque specs (not very high) and a warning not to lubricate the threads, lest they work themselves loose. I'll have to see if he still has them.

 

[mike93lx]

They totally exist. A friend got a hip replaced, and insisted on getting all of the literature that went with the implant. There were torque specs (not very high) and a warning not to lubricate the threads, lest they work themselves loose. I'll have to see if he still has them.

Found a bunch in N-cm
https://www.dit-usa.com/lever-style-torque-wrench.html

ELEC Driver Electric Wireless Torque Wrench

ELEC Driver Electric Wireless Torque WrenchThe ELEC Driver is a contra angle electric torque wrench which allows clinicians to easily fasten and remove prosthetic and GBR screws. The wireless design is very lightweight which makes the system easy to handle and transport. The push button head of...

www.dit-usa.com

Hi-Tec Hex Torque Wrench

Hi-Tec Hex Torque Wrench 6mm hex connection Torque range 10-40Ncm Made of surgical stainless steel

www.dit-usa.com

 

[Jarhead0408]

Do not watch video of a knee replacement then. Actually the surgery was a breeze. I remember nothing other than prep and recovery. I will let you know though, that recovery is a physical trial and an emotional roller coaster.

Man,

I’ve got one “somewhere” in the future. Any chance I could message you about the recovery somewhere down the road?

 

[BrandonV]

My PPO would only pay for harbor freight if they could

You joke but uh you never quite know what drill brand they have under the surgical cover.

 

[Samuel D]

The second time I broke my leg, I asked the orthopedic surgeon "So how in the world did you get the old bent hardware out of my femur?" I had seen the x-rays, and they were downright revolting and terrifying.

He immediately shot back a blunt "You don't want to know" and continued with what he was telling me.

He was right.

What did you break your leg again for? Seems excessive.

I smashed my shoulder up pretty thoroughly and had steel fitted. Nine screws into bone. The X-rays were ridiculous. Some of the screws nearly passed through the bearing surface of the ball at the top of the humerus [shudder]. How did they know they wouldn’t? Did they really?

Anyway, I asked how they put in the hardware (and took it out later). He should have said what your doc said. Instead he told me they did a slice and stretched the hole over the shoulder to reveal the structure (talk about an access problem).

The thought of some cowboy giving the torque wrench three clicks just to be sure didn’t help my recovery.

 

[oldmachinenut]

For those who've not had the experience of having an implant post torqued into place, it's a weird feeling to have someone using a torque wrench in your mouth. A very small torque wrench, mind you, but one none the less.

I can go one better on the weird feeling. I have 2 implants in the lower canine position. The surgeon said he would pull the 2 bad canines then I would wait 3-4 months for the bone in my jaw sockets to grow shut. He then would drill new holes in my jaw to place the implants. I asked him if he could pull the canines and immediately place the implants. He said it would work fine but be traumatic for me. He pulled the teeth, reamed the sockets (with what I swear was an Astro Pneumatic tree shaped carbide burr) then installed and torqued the implants. He kept asking me throughout the procedure if I was ok because I was sitting still and not flailing/screaming. It really wasn’t bad at all other than the $4500.00 bill.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Man,

I’ve got one “somewhere” in the future. Any chance I could message you about the recovery somewhere down the road?

Sure, but also there are also several Facebook groups devoted to knee replacement and recovery if you use Facebook. People post tons of personal experiences, support, and tips and tricks for recovery In there. Special interest groups, usually mechanical, are the basic reason I use it. There is as much input as you can read on most any subject.

 

[legenddc]

PB Swiss makes medical tools: https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/medical-devices

 

[Jarhead0408]

Sure, but also there are also several Facebook groups devoted to knee replacement and recovery if you use Facebook. People post tons of personal experiences, support, and tips and tricks for recovery In there. Special interest groups, usually mechanical, are the basic reason I use it. There is as much input as you can read on most any subject.

Thanks, I didn’t know about those Facebook groups.

 

[gearhead1]

I broke my wrist and got a plate and 7 self tapping screws. I asked the doc what brand he prefers jokingly Milwaukee or Dewalt?

He said Stryker and moved on - zero sense of humor.

 

[loganb]

For those who've not had the experience of having an implant post torqued into place, it's a weird feeling to have someone using a torque wrench in your mouth. A very small torque wrench, mind you, but one none the less.

Yes! Just got the experience this summer...very odd. Was interesting to look at the tools after and see just what they were using...I asked...they wouldn't let me take any home

 

[F-22]

PB Swiss makes medical tools: https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/medical-devices

Wouldn't be surprised if that's a notable portion of their sales.


But I did not know PB Swiss makes screw extractors. I thought it's bad enough when a screw snaps off on the exahust manifold, but imagine how annoying it must be if it happens inside a person.
Considering PB Swiss makes ads for their medical extraction tools, I would not be surprised if that's something that happens relatively often.


I'm surprised they use allen head screws! Considering how expensive those titanium screws must be (and totally corrosion resistant), I'd thought they'd use at least torx or even something totally proprietary and fail-proof. Allen head is not bad, but if screw cost is not important - then I believe there are plenty of smarter solutions.

 

[Cooter Brown]

For those who've not had the experience of having an implant post torqued into place, it's a weird feeling to have someone using a torque wrench in your mouth. A very small torque wrench, mind you, but one none the less.

Yes! Just got the experience this summer...very odd. Was interesting to look at the tools after and see just what they were using...I asked...they wouldn't let me take any home

Yep, that little torque wrench and all the other tools were really cool. My dentist is great and let me check it all out. Like you I had an irrational desire to have a set!

 

[OccupantRJ]

I broke my wrist and got a plate and 7 self tapping screws. I asked the doc what brand he prefers jokingly Milwaukee or Dewalt?

He said Stryker and moved on - zero sense of humor.

I went for my last Dr visit Monday before my next knee surgery Tuesday. I really like my surgeon. The surgeon came in and jovially asked me “How’s it going fellow?” I grinned at him and stated “Well, there’s my favorite carpenter!” He tried to stifle a chuckle but it was unsuccessful. On the first knee three months ago I asked him if he was planning to get drunk the night before. He somewhat scowled and said that he didn’t do that. He tries to keep cool, but I screw with him just to crack him.

 

[2oolhound]

Here's a twist -