Effect of bandaging techniques on sub-bandage pressures in the equine distal limb, carpus, and tarsus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of 3 types of bandages on sub-bandage pressures over the distal limb, carpus, and tarsus. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: Eight healthy horses. METHODS: Each of the 6 following bandages was applied on each horse in randomized order: (1) distal limb compression bandage (DLC), (2) double layer bandage (DL), (3) inner sanctum bandage (IS), (4) carpal compression bandage (CC), (5) tarsal compression bandage (TC), and (6) adhesive elastic carpal bandage (C-ELA). Sub-bandage pressures were measured with the Picopress compression measuring system (Microlab Electonica, Nicolo, Italy) after bandage application. Carpal and tarsal bandage pressures were assessed before and after walking the horses approximately 50 m. TC pressures were also measured after creating a slit over the calcaneus. A generalized linear model was used to test the association of pressure with sensor location, bandage type, time, and potential interactions (P < .05). RESULTS: DLC (165 mmHg) and IS (167 mmHg) generated greater mean combined pressures compared with DL (146 mmHg; P = .0166). At application, CC (154 mmHg) created higher mean combined sub-bandage pressure compared with C-ELA (70 mmHg; P < .001). Pressures resulting from CC and TC decreased after walking (P < .001), whereas those associated with C-ELA were not affected. CONCLUSION: Variations to the standard DLC construct did not increase sub-bandage pressures. CC and TC pressures rapidly decreased with ambulation, whereas C-ELA pressures in healthy horses were not affected by walking. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Variations to the standard DLC offer no additional benefit in regards to increasing sub-bandage pressures. Carpal elastic bandages maintain sub-bandage pressures during ambulation and may be more appropriate for long term bandaging in ambulating horses. Creating a slit over the calcaneal tuber in TC bandages is discouraged due to rapid decreases in sub-bandage pressure.

Comparison of Arthroscopic Lavage and Needle Lavage Techniques, and Lavage Volume on the Recovery of Colored Microspheres From the Tarsocrural Joints of Cadaver Horses.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify recovery of colored microspheres from normal cadaver tarsocrural joints using arthroscopic or needle lavage with 1-5 L of fluid. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo experimental study. ANIMALS: Adult Quarter Horse cadavers (n = 8). METHODS: After euthanasia, 1.5 × 10(6) colored microspheres were injected into each tarsocrural joint. Each joint was randomly assigned to receive lavage (5 L 0.9% NaCl) with an arthroscope (dorsomedial arthroscope and dorsolateral egress cannula) or three 14 g needles (dorsomedial ingress, dorsolateral, and plantarolateral egress). Egress fluid from each liter was collected separately over time and the number of microspheres present in each recovered liter determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: A significant interaction was present between treatment group and liter of fluid (P < .01). The number of microspheres recovered in the first liter of lavage fluid was significantly higher in the needle lavage group than in the arthroscopic lavage group (P < .01). For both groups, the number of microspheres recovered in the first liter of lavage fluid represented a majority of the total microspheres collected and was significantly different from each subsequent liter collected (P < .01). The number of microspheres recovered did not differ between liters 2, 3, 4, and 5 within or between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In this model, tarsocrural lavage with three 14 g needles was more effective at removing colored microspheres from the joint than arthroscopic lavage, suggesting that the number or placement of portals present may be more important than portal size and flow rate. No difference in microsphere recovery was seen with lavage volumes >1 L.