title: Relative stiffness of 3 bandage/splint constructs for stabilization of equine midmetacarpal fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine the relative stiffness of 3 bandage/splint constructs intended for emergency fracture stabilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental model. A single plane free end deflection model was developed to simulate the forces placed on a bandage/splint construct during stabilization of a complete mid-metacarpal bone fracture. The total deflection of the model in one plane was measured following application of 3 different bandage/splint combinations including a classic, 3 layered Robert Jones Bandage (RJB) with a splint placed on the outside of the bandage (RJB-3), an RJB with splint placed after the first of 3 bandage layers (RJB-1), and a single layer full limb bandage with external splint (SS). Comparisons were made between the deflections of the model with each bandage/splint combinations in an effort to determine the most effective method for field fracture stabilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  No animals were utilized in data collection for this study. Two live horses were utilized during the pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Application of bandage and splint to a model intended to simulate the bending force on a lower forelimb fracture in a horse
  
  
  RESULTS
  Deflection was determined by the difference between the height of the model's supported free end before application of a 4.5 kg weight and at the conclusion of the deflection test. There was no significant difference in the amount of deflection between bandage/splint combinations (78 ± 32 mm (RJB-1), 94 ± 44 mm (RJB-3), and 93 ± 33 mm (SS)) CONCLUSIONS: The one-layer bandage with splint was equivalent to either RJB configuration in the mean amount of deflection in the simple model of a fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lutter
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cary
authors.affiliation: Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844.
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164.
authors.forename: Logan B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Potts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages / Q000662:veterinary*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003422:Critical Care; D005552:Forelimb / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries*; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013165:Splints / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
keywords: Robert-Jones bandage; fracture stabilization; horse