Figure Legend: Complications of hardware exposure.  1. Exposed tension band wire years following proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis.  2. Kirschner wire penetration of nail bed.  The original surgeon should not have accepted this pin position, which resulted in a permanent split nail deformity.  3. Improper length choice for Kirschner wire.  Hardware should be either placed entirely beneath the skin or allowed to protrude well beyond the skin entrance site.  Cutting pins off at skin level greatly increases the chance of pin tract infection.
 

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