Kirschner

Kirschner is a surname of German origin. It is found in German-speaking regions and in communities influenced by German naming traditions. As with many occupational and locational names, it has been borne by individuals across medicine, science, and the arts, and it has entered professional vocabulary as an eponym in orthopedic practice.

In medicine, Kirschner wire, or K-wire, refers to a slender, rigid pin used to fix bone fragments or provide temporary skeletal stabilization during fracture treatment. Typically made of stainless steel or other alloys, Kirschner wires are inserted percutaneously or through small incisions and can be used alone or in conjunction with external fixators or bone plates. The device is named after Martin Kirschner, a German surgeon associated with early modern orthopedic techniques, and it has become a standard instrument in various forms of fracture management and reconstructive procedures.

As a surname, Kirschner appears in biographical and historical records across multiple fields, including medicine, the sciences, and the arts. The name has several variant spellings in English and other languages, reflecting regional pronunciation and transliteration conventions. In addition to its use as a family name, the term Kirschner is encountered in medical literature primarily through the instrument and related techniques, rather than as a terminology for a single disease or condition.