Measurement of distal limb sub-bandage pressure over 96 hours in horses.

The research article explores the pressure exerted by distal limb bandages on horses, specifically measuring the changes over a period of 96 hours. The study reveals a disparity in pressure distribution, with a significant decrease in pressure occurring between 6 and 12 hours for the DLC, and an optimal interval of four days suggested for changing a bandage if providing compression is the main concern.

Research method and process

• The researchers carried out a longitudinal observational experiment to investigate the pressures exerted by different bandages on the limbs of horses over defined periods.
• Two different bandage constructs were examined – the DLC (a compression bandage made of a cotton roll compressed with brown gauze and elastic layers) and the DLP (a polo wrap including a pillow pad compressed by a cloth wrap).
• Pressure sensors were placed on the mid-metacarpus of the horses, at the dorsal and lateral positions.
• The pressures under the bandages were recorded both during application and at scheduled points over 24-hour and 96-hour periods in healthy horses.
• The researchers used a generalised linear model to evaluate associations between pressure, sensor location, bandage type, and time.

Research findings

• For the DLC bandage, the dorsal and lateral sensor pressures immediately after application were recorded as 187 mmHg and 142 mmHg, respectively.
• The combined sensor pressure after application of the brown gauze was 80 mmHg, which rose to 165 mmHg after the elastic layer was added. This combined pressure dropped to 135 mmHg at the end of the 96-hour period.
• With the DLP bandage, sensor location had a significant effect on pressure, but time did not. The combined pressures for this bandage type ranged between 75 mmHg and 85 mmHg.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The study found that the pressure distribution under distal limb bandages is not uniform in horses.
• For the DLP bandage, the pressures were maintained for a 24-hour period. The DLC bandage retained high pressures for 96 hours, but there was a significant decrease in pressure between 6 and 12 hours.
• The researchers suggest that, barring any other reasons necessitating a bandage change, a four-day interval between bandage changes may be optimal for ensuring compression for the distal limb.