Management of Wounds in High-Motion Areas

CHAPTER 157 Management of Wounds in High-Motion Areas



Dean Hendrickson, Joanna Virgin


Wounds over areas of high motion, such as the hoof, pastern, fetlock, carpus, tarsus, and structures of the head, necessitate special care to avoid the propensity of these areas to develop excessive granulation tissue, chronic bandage complications, and poor, prolonged healing. Movement from either the motion of a joint or the underlying tissues, such as an underlying tendon, can delay healing. Whereas some motion is required to ensure proper collagen alignment along lines of tension in wounds, excessive motion in a wound bed can disrupt angiogenesis and increase collagen deposition, which promotes chronic inflammation that will often lead to exuberant granulation tissue and poor-quality repair tissue.


In most instances, wounds over the foot, fetlock, carpus, and tarsus heal more rapidly and cosmetically following immobilization. Other areas, such as the stifle joint, neck, or shoulder, might not be as conducive to immobilization, and in these instances, adherent dressings and stent bandages may be appropriate. Lacerations of the eyes, nose, and ears should be closed primarily whenever possible to maintain a satisfactory cosmetic appearance and proper function.



HEEL BULB AND PASTERN AND FETLOCK LACERATIONS


Heel-bulb lacerations, hoof-wall avulsions, and lacerations over the phalanges respond best to immobilization compared with bandaging alone. Detailed wound cleaning, debridement, and appropriate closure or dressing application, coupled with immobilization, result in a much lower incidence of excessive granulation tissue and improved healing in these wounds. Slipper casts, otherwise known as distal limb casts, phalangeal casts, or short casts, are preferred over lower-limb or full-limb casts for hoof wall, coronary band, or pastern lacerations because they are generally associated with a lower incidence of cast complications.


To apply a slipper cast, cast stockinet is applied to the foot extending proximally to above the fetlock joint. The stockinet is followed by a layer of cast felt around the pastern, just distal to the fetlock. Four-inch fiberglass cast material is rolled around the foot, covering the sole and extending proximally to the felt. The cast is allowed to cure while the limb is held in a non–weight bearing, neutral position. After the cast has cured and the horse is allowed to bear weight, the stockinet is rolled down over the cast and fixed with an elastic bandage. The elastic bandage also extends proximally past the level of the cast over the skin to prevent foreign material from becoming trapped between the skin and the cast (Figure 157-1). Generally the cast is left in place for 2 to 3 weeks. Thin pieces of rubber, such as from a tire tube, may be taped to the bottom of the cast to increase traction.


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Figure 157-1 Slipper or foot cast.


Wounds in the fetlock region or on the palmar or plantar aspect of the flexor tendons are best immobilized using splints or lower limb casts. Splints can be made using polyvinylchloride (PVC), cast material, wood, or metal such as a Kimzey splint (Kimzey Welding Works, 164 Kentucky Ave., Woodland CA 95695).

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May 28, 2016 | Posted by in EQUINE MEDICINE | Comments Off on Management of Wounds in High-Motion Areas
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