Indications and limitations of splints and casts

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2014 Mar;30(1):55-76, v. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2013.11.007. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Abstract

Long bone fractures are relatively common in cattle, whether they result from a self-inflicted trauma or from external actors (herd mate or farm machinery). Various advanced orthopedic techniques have been described to stabilize and treat fractures in cattle with success. Unfortunately the use of most of those techniques remains unrealistic in a field setting, rendering the realization of splints and casts still accurate for the treatment of long bone fracture in cattle. This article refers to the use of all external coaptation and their specific indications as well as their limitations.

Keywords: Cast; Cattle; Fracture; Lameness; Orthopedic.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Casts, Surgical / veterinary*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary*
  • Orthopedic Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods
  • Orthopedic Procedures / veterinary*
  • Splints / veterinary*
  • Veterinary Medicine / instrumentation*
  • Veterinary Medicine / methods