Page 30 - Manual of Equine Field Surgery

26 PRESURGICAL PREPARATION AND ASSESSMENT

cipal force and is best counteracted by applying Section 2

a dorsal splint-cast combination over a light band- Forelimb fractures, from distal third metacarpus

age extending from the ground to just below the to distal radius, should be stabilized with a Robert

carpus. The bandage is applied with the distal limb Jones bandage applied from the ground to the

straight and the splint applied to align the dorsal humeroradial joint (elbow) (see Figure 4-2). The

cortices. The splint is taped tightly with the carpus bandage should include multiple layers of padd-

held in flexion. The tape material should be ing and each padding layer is tightened with

nonelastic, such as duct tape or white tape to elastic gauze. Padding can be made with rolled or

prevent unwanted motion between the splint and layered cotton. Each padding layer should be

the limb (Figure 4-3). Fiberglass cast material may about 2 to 3 cm thick with the total bandaged

be applied over the taped splint to increase rigidity. diameter approximately three times the limb's

In the hind limb, the same principles hold but the diameter. It is crucial that the bandage is uniform

splint is applied to the plantar aspect with the in shape and tight enough to achieve maximum

metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joint iI1 slight flexion stability and rigidity of the splinted limb while

(Pigure 4-4). avoiding excessive focal skin pressure. Palmar and

lateral splints that extend from the ground to the

elbow should be applied. Splints should be taped

as tight as possible over the bandage, using a gen-

erous amount of nonelastic adhesive material

such as duct tape (Figure 4-5).

Middle and proximal third metatarsal fractures

( see Figure 4-2) should be bandaged from the

ground to the level of the stifle. In the hind limb,

the bandage should be less extensive to facilitate

splint application. Plantar and lateral splints

should be applied from the ground to the level of

the calcaneal tuber. The lateral splint may extend

to the level of the stifle for more proximal frac-

tures. Splinting material and application manner

are similar to those previously described (Pigure

Figure 4-3 Section 1 forelimb fracture, distal third

metacarpus to distal interphalangeal joint region, sta- 4-6).

bilized using a dorsal splint-cast combination over a

light bandage.

Figure 4-4 Section 1 hind limb fracture, distal third

metatarsus to distal interphalangeal joint region, stabi- Figure 4-5 Section 2 forelimb fracture, distal radius

lized using a plantar splint-cast combination over a light to distal metacarpal region, stabilized using palmar and

bandage. lateral splints over a heavy Robert Jones bandage.