ABSTRACT
Cerclage wires should be placed 10 mm apart and at least 5 mm from the transverse por tion of the fracture. Wires should not be placed in the fracture line.
Cerclage wires should be placed perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. If the wire is placed obliquely to the long axis of the bone, the diameter of the wire loop will exceed that of the bone. The cerclage wire will eventually shift and become loose, impeding vascularization and fracture healing.
