Title
In vitro comparison of transfixation and standard full-limb casts for prevention of displacement of a mid-diaphyseal third metacarpal osteotomy site in horses
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction
Publication Date
12-2000
Abstract
Objective—–To compare transfixation and standard full-limb casts for prevention of in vitro displacement of a mid-diaphyseal third metacarpal osteotomy site in horses.
Sample Population—6 forelimbs from 6 horses euthanatized for reasons not related to the musculoskeletal system.
Procedure—A 30° osteotomy was performed in the mid-diaphysis of the third metacarpal bone. Two 4.5-mm cortical bone screws were placed across the osteotomy site to maintain alignment during casting. Two 6.35-mm Steinmann pins were placed from a lateral-to-medial direction in the distal aspect of the radius. A full-limb cast that incorporated the pins was applied. An extensometer was positioned in the osteotomy site through a window placed in the dorsal aspect of the cast, and after removal of the screws, displacement was recorded while the limb was axially loaded to 5,340 N (1,200 lb). Pins were removed, and the standard full-limb cast was tested in a similar fashion.
Results—The transfixation cast significantly reduced displacement across the osteotomy site at 445 N (100 lb), 1,112 N (250 lb), 2,224 N (500 lb), and 4,448 N (1,000 lb), compared with the standard cast.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—A full-limb transfixation cast provides significantly greater resistance than a standard full-limb cast against axial collapse of a mid-diaphyseal third metacarpal osteotomy site when the bone is placed under axial compression. Placement of full-limb transfixation casts should be considered for the management of unstable fractures of the third metacarpal bone in horses.
Recommended Citation
Hopper, S. A., Schneider, R. K., Johnson, C. H., Ratzlaff, M. H., & White, K. K. (2000). In vitro comparison of transfixation and standard full-limb casts for prevention of displacement of a mid-diaphyseal third metacarpal osteotomy site in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 61(12), 1633–1635. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2000.61.1633
Journal
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Rights
American Veterinary Medical Association Copyright © 2000
Comments
This article was originally published in American Journal of Veterinary Research. The article from the publisher can be found here.
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