The use of the walking cast to repair fractures in horses and ponies.

This research article investigates the effectiveness of using a walking cast for treating fractures in horses and ponies.

Objective Overview

The research revolved around implementing a walking cast to repair fractures in long bones and the first phalanx in horses and ponies. It demonstrated significant success, even for severe fractures that were typically challenging to treat.

Detailed Explanation

• The research involved the application of a walking cast on 35 horses and 21 ponies with different types of fractures. These included 46 fractures of long bones, such as the distal radius, tibia, metacarpus, and metatarsus, as well as 10 fractures of the first phalanx.
• The results of the research showed the walking cast to be highly effective. It could successfully treat even extremely comminuted (‘hopeless’) fractures, which generally cannot be treated with osteosynthesis.
• One of the primary benefits observed was that the walking cast took the weight off the injured leg. This is a common problem in large animal orthopedics and by addressing it, the cast allowed for immediate full weight bearing post operatively.
• In a few cases (five to be exact), the walking cast was used in conjunction with osteosynthesis. This combination served the purpose of stabilizing the fracture while promoting bone growth.
• However, the walking cast did have its limitations as well. Infection was reported as the major complication in using it, sometimes causing it to fail. Osteomyelitis, a severe infection that affects the bone, was addressed in this research as a condition that might also be treatable with a walking cast.
• Despite the challenge with managing infections, the overall success of the method led the researchers to recommend the walking cast for international accreditation. Noting that the cast’s success rate stood at 57%, the researchers asserted that this was a highly impressive figure considering the severity of the fractures that were being treated.