title: Treatment of fractures of the tibia and radius-ulna by external coaptation.
abstract: External coaptation of radial-ulnar and tibial fractures with casts or modified Thomas splint-cast combinations is a useful treatment. The economics of therapy make this method of treatment feasible for commercial animals. Current estimates for the cost of treatment of tibial fractures with Thomas splint-cast combinations are $225.00 for calves and $410.00 for cattle if the metal splints are reused. Casts have similar costs. The availability of external coaptation techniques to all veterinarians and the success of treatment make external coaptation a good method for the treatment of many tibial and radial-ulnar fractures in cattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fessler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002370:Casts, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016267:External Fixators / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013165:Splints / Q000662:veterinary; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*