Everything you need to know about Scalpel Blade Handles

What are Scalpel Blade Handles?

A scalpel is an extremely sharp blade used by Podiatrists to debride excess skin from the feet and toes of patients. Their individual shape and size is characterised by a number – each with its individual strengths and weaknesses.

Scalpel blade handles are specifically designed handles to hold scalpel blades securely throughout any procedure a practitioner may be carrying out. The blade is generally locked in place by using a key-slot type mechanism which safely holds the blade in place.

Scalpel blade handles are usually sold separately to the blades themselves, so it’s important to know which size blade fits on a particular handle size before you purchase a handle. The most popular scalpel handle sizes used in Podiatry are size #3 and size #4 handles, as well as ‘Beaver blade’ handles.

Single use scalpel blades are also sold with a disposable handle. This means the Podiatrist doesn’t need to sterilise their scalpel handles, but they must weigh up the costs, increased waste and the quality of products available.

Reusable scalpel blade handles might be more expensive upfront, but this price is highly cost effective following repeated use in the clinic. Podiatrists routinely use sterilisable handles in the clinic as a cost effective solution to their instrument needs.

We’ve wrote a deep dive piece on single use vs reusable instruments here.

What are Scalpel Blade Handles used for?

Scalpel blade handles come in a range of sizes designed to hold multiple types of scalpel blade sizes, meaning the Podiatrist can have a range of different blades at their disposal.

This range of different scalpel blade shapes and sizes each have their own strengths and weaknesses. A Podiatrist might prefer the broad side of a size #23 blade to debride the bulk of the excess skin from the heel, or the precise nature of size #15 blades to remove excess skin from more delicate areas such as the sulci.

Podiatrists generally develop their own preference for a particular size or shape of blade by using similar blades for an extended period of time.

How are Scalpel Blade Handles used?

here are two types of grips used by podiatrists when using scalpel handles. They’re named reflectively of the manner they’re used:

Pencil grip: The handle is held with the index and middle fingers, supported by the thumb on the underside – similar in the way a pencil would be held. The little and / or ring finger may be used as an anchor to assist in precision while using a scalpel.

Palmar grip: The scalpel handle is held with the middle, ring and little finger, supported by the thumb on the opposite side. The index finger is used to aim, guide and apply pressure. Once again, the ring and / or little finger may be used as an anchor.

* The ‘off hand’ should be used to brace the foot in a stable position but always be sure that your ‘off hand’ in in a position that will not result in injury in the unlikely event that a slip occurs.

What scalpel blades fit #3 handle?

Size #3 scalpel blade handles can fit a range of scalpel blade sizes. The popular size #10 and size #15 scalpel blades will fit on a size #3 handle, however scalpel blade sizes such as No.6, 9, 11, 11P, 12, 12D, 13, 14, 16, 40 will also fit on a size #3 scalpel handle.

What scalpel blades fit #4 handle?

Size #4 scalpel blade handles are designed to fit a range of scalpel blade sizes. Podiatrists often use size #23 blades which fit on a size #4 scalpel handle. Other compatible scalpel blades sizes include No.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 22A, 24, 25, 25A, 26, 27 and 36.

What is a Beaver Blade handle?

A Beaver blade handle is a scalpel blade handle used by Podiatrists to hold micro blades. As the locking mechanism of Beaver handles isn’t a key-like slot as seen in other scalpel blades, the micro blades are generally all compatible with beaver blade handles. These micro blades are generally designated a size of No. 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 90 and 91. Podiatrists commonly use these sizes to assist in the removal of ingrown toenails.

Scalpel Safety

There are a range of safety precautions you can take while using scalpel blades. Using the most appropriate technique for the circumstance will prevent many accidents from occurring as a podiatrist; however you should always take extreme care when using scalpels.

Attaching the scalpel blade to the scalpel blade holder is a frequent source of injury occurrence. Always attach the blade in a safe manner and avoid using excess force as this can increase the likelihood of injury occurring.

Scalpel blade removal

There are a number of safe scalpel blade removal methods and devices that may be utilised. Always ensure that you’re practicing safety by using such devices. Avoid using your Podiatry clippers to remove the blade as this may damage the clippers and increase your chance of injury. Podiatry clippers are not designed to remove scalpel blades!

Sterile Scalpel Blades

Scalpel blades suitable for use in the Podiatry clinic are in a sterile when they are purchased. It is important that Podiatrists respect and uphold the sterility of each blade as it is attached to the scalpel blade handle.

Avoid touching the scalpel blade when it is being attached to the handle as this can contaminate the blade. This can be achieved by partially opening the scalpel blade so that the locking mechanism is accessible and able to be attached to the handle.

Where to Buy Scalpel Blade Handles?

There are a range of options when it comes to purchasing the scalpel blade handles you need. LuxeMED supplies scalpel blade handles to Australia, New Zealand, UK and USA. If you’re looking to buy scalpel blade handles but you’re located outside of these areas, please contact us.

LuxeMED has a range of scalpel handles such as size #3 handles, size #4 handles and beaver blade handles available to Podiatry clinics and beyond.