Relative stiffness of 3 bandage/splint constructs for stabilization of equine midmetacarpal fractures

OBJECTIVE: Determine the relative stiffness of 3 bandage/splint constructs intended for emergency fracture stabilization. DESIGN: 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. SETTING: Laboratory. ANIMALS: No animals were utilized in data collection for this study. Two live horses were utilized during the pilot study. INTERVENTIONS: Application of bandage and splint to a model intended to simulate the bending force on a lower forelimb fracture in a horse MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN 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.